From sals@rain.orgThu Mar 2 00:13:07 1995 Date: Wed, 1 Mar 1995 18:11:08 -0800 From: sal schettino To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Bio-Control Matters 1995 ANBP ANNUAL ELECTION RESULTS Glenn Scriven, President Dan Cahn, Vice President Lee Ann Merrill, Secretary-Treasurer Board: Jake Blehm, Jan Dietrick, John Freeman, Carol Glenister, Tom Roberts, Don Elliot Appointments and Committees Regulatory Committee: Glenn Scriven, Don Elliott,Dan Cahn QC Committee: Sinthya Penn, Carol Glenister, Lee Ann Merrill 1996 Annual Program Coordinator: Jan Dietrick Corporate Sponsorship/PR Committee: Jake Blehm, John Freeman, Mac Burt, Tom Roberts, Sinthya Penn Editorial Committee: Jan Dietrick, Carol Glenister, Glenn Scriven, Tom Roberts and MacClay Burt APPLIED INSECT ECOLOGISTS MEET The AAIE Conference February 6 and 7 included presentations about pest management programs either under study or successfully developed that involve use of organisms reared by ANBP producers: Matt Hand made the same excellent presentation he made at the CAPCA Conference in Anaheim about Avocado Pest Manage-ment, Dr. Nick Mills presented on Trichogramma sp. in Pears and Cynthia Treatment of well-proven predatory mite programs did not fare as well on the agenda. We were exposed again to the questionable conclusions of number-crunching "meta-analyst' Douglas Shaw as presented by Ed Show. Shaw apparently concludes that because researchers who actually conduct evaluative research are biased by their quest for personal glory, therefore, society needs creative statisticians like him. The real truth, he purports, is essentially obtainable by putting all data of every flavor from the earliest recorded publications into a blender. Our members suggest that Shaw wrap up his recipe for determining efficacy of P. persimilis by putting it in the deep-freeze. At its annual election, Jan Dietrick and Steve Nelson were elected to the AAIE board, Jan as president-elect. CLASSICAL MEDFLY PROPOSAL One note of hope for the future of the Medfly campaign comes from a proposal from the University of California to do the first concerted classical biological control expedition and study of natural enemies of Medfly. UCR post-doctoral researcher Dave Headrick presented at the AAIE Conference on this proposal. He reviewed the history of attempts to find natural enemies of the Medfly and why they failed. Some failed because explorers did not go to the native home that turns out to be some remote hillsides in the frontier between Kenya and Tanzania. Another reason classical projects showed poorly before is the particular organisms that have so far been tried and the kinds of studies to evaluate them. Single-variable studies with generalist parasitoids collected in various other parts of the world can only be expected to manage 20% parasitism. The UCR study is begging for $212,000 over 2 years and the money can't be raised! Note a similar proposal made 14 years ago cost less than half. In the meantime, the more creative APHIS gets with quarantine, the more expensive needed classical projects become. One of these days fruit growers and governmental trustees may get behind a back-up plan in case Medfly does not keep getting eradicated by the present multi- million dollar programs. If Dave makes it as far as the Dar es Salaam General Post Office, he has a small supplemental grant to send postcards featuring fruit-filled Medfly-free bazaars. Submitted by Jan Dietrick EPA SETTLEMENT BANS 36 PESTICIDES As the Clinton administration and Congressional law-makers work on a replacement to the Delaney clause, EPA agrees to ban 36 cancer-causing pesticides over a 5-year period. One of the most important pesticide lawsuits in history was filed 6 years ago. The impact is reportedly cushioned by other rulings and regulations. There is a concensus in Washington that it would be best if regulators are freed from the current law to make relative determinations of risk, allowing certain uses of materials that only cause very low incidence of cancer. ABOUT ANBP The Association of Natural Bio-Control Producers was formed in 1990 by commercial insectaries to form a united voice on regula-tory issues affecting the industry. It is also dedicated to promoting quality standards and educating the agricultural and academic communities, the media and the public about the importance of beneficial arthropods for pest control. There are 100 members of which 35 are producers and/or suppliers of bio-control organisms. EDITORIAL PURPOSE Bio-Control Matters is intended to provide members of the Association of Natural Bio-Control Producers with information, thought and opinion on biological control affairs, especially relating to national and international policy. It advocates the interests of commercial biological control and the public interest of quality agricultural production and environmental protection. Bio-Control Matters is open to diverse perspectives and the exchange of ideas that promote quality mass-rearing and distri- bution as well as accurate technical information by the industry. The opinions and viewpoints expressed by contributors in signed articles and reviews are their own and not necessarily those of ANBP. Send contributions for consideration to producing editor Jan Dietrick, P.O. Box 1555, Ventura, CA 93002. PRESIDENT'S CORNER OTA, USDA, APHIS, NEPA, BEBEP, BATS, EPA, FIFRA, PPA, etc. Welcome to the world of regulatory acronyms. When we formed the Association, we had no idea of the regulatory problems we would be faced with. EPA (FIFRA) defines biological control agents as pesticides. And now the new APHIS (BEBEP) proposed rules define biological control agents as plant pests. ANBP members, university researchers and USDA researchers have for the past several years tried to point out to APHIS that biocontrols are not the problem, but part of the solution to environmental pollution and pesticide risk. Nevertheless, APHIS pursues the idea that an environmental assessment must be prepared for each biocontrol release, if the bio-control agent does not already have a self-sustaining population at that locality! If we assume that locality to be a county, and each environmenntal assessment costs $5,000 (APHIS estimate), and there are 3,000 counties in the US, then we are looking at a potential cost of $15 million to get permits to release one new biocontrol agent within the US. There are 137 commercially available species of biocontrol ogranisms listed from beneficial suppliers in 1994. We see a regulatory nightmare on the horizon. The potential cost to producers and suppliers is mind-boggling. If fully implemented, these rules would put an end to the use of biocontrols in the US. Vague assurances that this will not happen are not sufficient. We must have written assurances from APHIS that we are not going to be regulated out of existence. Glenn Scriven, ANBP President PLANT PESTS: INTRODUCTION OF NONINDIGENOUS ORGANISMS" Jan Dietrick of Rincon-Vitova Insectaries here takes some license in a personal viewpoint regarding USDA-APHIS-PPQ-BATS new proposed plant pest quarantine rules. For official Association statement or other information, call Dan Cahn, Chair, ANBP Regulatory Committee or ANBP President Glenn Scriven. USDA Acting Secretary Richard Rominger assured ANBP that APHIS proposed regulation will have a positive impact on this emerging industry". Such was not the impression from members who reviewed the proposed rules published in the Federal Register just days before the ANBP Annual Meeting in Santa Barbara. At first review, why regulate certain Braconidae and no Phytoseiidae? All Aphelinidae, Pteromalidae and Trichogrammatidae, but not Chilopodae, Blattodea or Culicidae? Because these are rules for plant pest exclusion! How, then, are parasitoid Hymenopteran genera construed as pests? With these rules, we can ship centipedes, cockroaches and mosquitoes and let them go anywhere, but it would be illegal to let beneficial arthropods loose anywhere where they aren't already happily reproducing. The APHIS call to rule-making is explained as resulting from a Congressional Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) report citing losses in the billions of dollars that can be attributed to the negative effects of certain nonindigenous organisms.... Therefore, the proposed rules explain, "we [APHIS] are proposing to establish comprehensive regulations governing the introduction of those nonindigenous organisms that we have reason to believe may be plant pests or may result in the introduction or dissemination of plant pests." The OTA report does not cite any losses from the importation, movement or release of beneficial arthropods. The burden of proof of no negative impact, however, is falling on our low-budget, low-profit industry. Rincon-Vitova Insectaries offers a way to perhaps turn the discussion to the specific issues at hand by offering prizes of assorted proposed- to-be-regulated organisms to anyone who can name their worst known negative effect or indirect negative effect (or even a potential negative effect OR even potential indirect negative effect). Send entries to RVI, PO Box 1555, Ventura, CA 93002 or FAX to 805-643-6267. Prizes will be given in each category: (1) known direct negative effects, (2) known indirect negative effects, (3) potential negative effects, and (4) potential indirect negative effects. In addition to loss accounting, include amount and sources of funds spent on the project and every given location where effects were noted. APHIS employees may enter, however, not with the USDA Harmonia or C7 beetle projects, unless some new negative effect has been discovered that we haven't wondered about already. As one settles into a study of the proposed rules, one must slow down and deeply ponder the definitions. Legal minds wracked long and hard to come up with sufficiently vague definitions. Within the global scope of nonindigenous and "established, interesting scenarios cross the imaginary screen. Say a flea-ridden Tom walks down an alley, hitchhikers hopping off of him onto his new girlfriend at a place where the old renters had never created an environment for hosts (e.g. never owned a dog or catfood dish). This would legally constitute a non-exempted release of a regulated non- indigenous organism into an area where it has not formed a self-sustaining, free-living population at a given location. Tom better have three permits. It has taken six years of diligent effort by APHIS legal defense team to arrive at these 19 pages of small print. Protections are needed, per BATS officials, in case of lawsuits by environmentalists. Meanwhile many benign and possibly very useful proposals for importation of beneficial organisms, including many long-standing renewals are currently being delayed or denied for months on end. APHIS actions have been and are hurting our businesses, not to mention obstructing the promotion of biological control. Some of our members feel fairly well assured that with precedented organism exemption lists, supposedly like we have in California, or even courtesy permits (whatever those are), our industry could live with these rules. But read what the rules actually say. Permit applications are necessary for every importation, every movement, and every release into "any given location where there is no self-sustaining, free- living population. APHIS rules require detailed reporting about established range and previous releases, environmental impacts, host specificity under natural and artificial conditions, etc., etc. APHIS somehow estimates it will take a Ph.D. level researcher and staff about two weeks to prepare this information at a cost of about $5,000 per permit application. How long will it take who to decide based on what data whether Trichogrammatoidea bactrae tried in a San Luis Obispo tomato greenhouse for pinworm or on acres of organic cabbage in Kern County or on peaches in Fresno County could become established? Why must we ostensibly spend $15,000 answering APHIS questions for these three customers when California regulators already figured out it is safe to release? Which is more legal to use on pepper aphid in a Kansas City greenhouse: the indigenous pear psyllid predator Deraeocoris brevis or a to-be-banned-someday pesticide? Has Chrysoperla rufilabris made a permanent home yet in Montana; is Chrysoperla carnea established on Long Island; is Chrysoperla comanche established in vineyards along the Blanco; can Amblyseius fallacis definitely be found in the higher elevations of central Idaho? Could the new offices of BATS be big enough to hold these files? The State of California has an exemption list published in Section 3558 of the California Plant Quarantine Manual (1983). It covers all genera containing proven commercial biological control agents, including proven exotics, and an assortment of insects shipped to zoos to feed the reptiles. The Code prohibits shippers from shipping these in conjunction with host organisms. Moreover, California Department of Food and Agriculture officials give prompt consideration to all new applications through a well-tested, convenient process. What does the State of California know that APHIS doesn't? Here is some speculation: California has a 100 year tradition of using biological control organisms and appreciates their value in repeatedly successfully saving California farmers from exotic pest invasions. California, while having the largest diversity of microhabitats and endemic species of any part of the country, yet has no record of any negative effects from the many many releases of exotic beneficials in the state. California has appropriately knowledgeable staff including at least one entomological taxonomist supporting the permit office and they apparently have no great difficulty networking with appropriate entomologists to find out enough to make a wise determination. California knows that making up rules is not the way to stop people from suing. Actually, these APHIS rules seem to beg for a trivial lawsuit. The proposed rules have many elements that are vague and confusing. In addition, vague promises of expanding the exemption lists leave us concerned about how they are going to be reinterpreted by every new administrator under every new round of budget and staffing cuts and threats of environmental lawsuits. Everyone's common priority must be sustainable agricultural productivity while avoiding risks to public health and the environment. Hopefully, USDAs mission is to find ways to spend its resources fostering collaborations, incentives and management strategies toward such a common priority. Submitted by Jan Dietrick Copies of 7 CFR Part 335: Plant Pests: Introduction of Nonindigenous Organisms, call Dr. Matt Royer, Chief Operations Officer, BATS, PPQ, APHIS, USDA 301-436- 8896 (or 301-734-8896 in March). Copies of OTA report: Harmful Non-Indigenous Species in the US, (OTA-F-565, Washington, DC; US Government printing Office, Sept. 1993). HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 5, 1995 SANTA BARBARA, CA Notes from Panel Presenters and Forum: Pesticide Policy and the Bio-Control Industry" Larry Elworth, USDA Special Assistant for Pesticide Policy, with a 15-year background as a Pennsylvania apple grower, is now working for the Clinton Administration. He is trying to improve cooperation between USDA and EPA to help promote IPM. He reported difficulties bridging between EPA and USDA scientists. USDA has excellent scientists who do not understand how EPA administrators approach things. Doing away with the Delaney clause that bans a lot of pesticides is the high-profile discussion, but there are others: Registrations: EPA is getting a better idea of agricultural needs and USDA is more effectively anticipating grower needs related to pesticide regulation. USDA is trying get EPA thinking about what materials we positively want to register. He said it is hard for EPA to make tough decisions, but it will make determinations now within 18 months. Research: We need new programs using competitive grants. For example, the problems with the methyl bromide phase-out need to be prioritized. Grower and practitioner groups must be involved up front in designing the research into alternatives. Technology transfer: We need new ways to educate about new ideas. IPM systems require different skills and different thinking within the grower community. Paul Gosslein, Assistant Director of California's Department of Pesticide Regulation, reported similar changes are going on in Sacramento as in Washington with pressures to downsize and streamline. Environ-mental quality standards won't change, but processes have to change CAL-EPA is rethinking the values and goals they have as a regulatory agency. A lot of numerical goals have been kicked around. Defining and achieving goals is more effective through cooperation keeping within the overall mission toward environmental protection. The report Challenge and Change" led to a new report on pest management practices to reduce risk and they are working now on these specific initiatives: Registrations: CAL-EPA now accepts applications the same time as US-EPA. There is an ombudsman to help facilitate applications. They are getting away from using efficacy questions to guide registration determinations. For example, soil amendments with pesticide properties should be tied to the US- EPA exemption process. We need to drop the barriers where we don't really need them. Companies should just provide whatever data they have and the product needs to stay within whatever the label states. Technology transfer: Several ideas will help get it going: PCA Continuing Education: Biological pest management continuing education credits will be required (4 hrs). They are working to define what the courses will be. Demonstration Grants: Funds are now available for projects, especially modeled after the BIOS program, to get reduced risk practices into the field, tapping into the existing experience and knowledge that is already on-going. IPM Innovators: A program started last year began with defining what is a reduced risk system. BIOS is one example. CAL-EPA will continue to work with the leaders of new systems and beyond with other groups and replicate their knowledge and philosophy. Don Elliott of Applied Bionomics, LTD, reviewed developments in Canada which have resulted in the registration of biological control products and the use of grower pest management plans. While there is good communication between the biocontrol industry and regulators, the regulatory activities of multiple departments have been demanding and the benefits for agriculture and the environment are not clear. Joanne Wheatley, Professor, from Cal Poly University at San Luis Obispo called for undergraduate training in biological control for prospective practitioners and growers. She said there is not an acceptable textbook on biological control and theirs is the only college or university that offers an undergraduate course. Stan Xervas, Manager of Fillmore Insectary, noted the need for soft pesticides and that new approaches are needed. Beneficials cannot be plugged into the place of chemical pesticides. Increasing reporting requirements is not always appropriate. Historically, the success of the citrus cooperative biocontrol programs depended on researchers being able to get appropriate new beneficials through importation and this needs to continue. Kate Burroughs, owner of Harmony Farm Supply, was originally a PCA making recommendations for non-toxic materials. In 1980 when even Safer soap was hard to come by, she decided she needed to supply the materials she was recommending. Solving grower problems, Harmony Farm Supply grew. Here are Kate's ideas regarding pesticide policy: If a Material is Safe, Let's Say So: We need to have more safe materials put on the approved list so their use would not need to be documented. She explained that if she recommends using something on restricted list, it is seen by the growers as some sort of limitation on the use of that product. Also, growers who want to use basically harmless materials in a holistic biointensive integrated program should not have to sort out why regulators have placed them on a restricted or illegal list. We need to go beyond even the current exemption process and come up with some generic level where we can say this material is safe enough. Stop Evaluating Safety with Efficacy Standards: Requiring proof of efficacy often distorts the role of a material in a whole system with several tools together being efficacious even if the use of each one separately is not appropriate. Organic and sustainable technologies are quite different from the simplistic pesticide approach and small or subtle inputs can sometimes make all the difference. Join More Powerful Voices to Policy-Makers: Kate reported on a new movement that took shape at the 1995 Ecofarming Conference, the Organic Suppliers Advisory Council (OSAC). One of its recent actions is to question CAL-EPA about recent rulings that agricultural wastes are toxic. The mission of the Organic Suppliers Advisory Council is to try to develop a dialogue with regulators over issues like these. Kate encouraged biocontrol producers and distributors to join the Organic Trade Association (OTA) that becomes membership in OSAC. The council's coordinator is attorney Suzanne Vaupel who is working with regulators. Membership includes a regulatory newsletter and news alerts to get people to hearings and involved. Kevin Olsen is Manager of Technical Services and Insectary Manager for S & J Ranch. The ranch uses six beneficial insect species as biocontrol agents on 5,000 acres of citrus, 5,000 acres of almonds and 1,500 acres of pistachios. Kevin is concerned about the following issues: Registration: EPA needs to speed the process for soft materials. The non-toxic ant bait, LOGIC, has proved much more cost- effective than Lorsban treatments on his ranch and registration in states outside of Texas has been needlessly stalled for over 4 years. The so-called fast track has been so jammed, it's become a regular track. University Extension Must Focus on Technology Transfer: USDA needs to financially support extension. Front-line farm advisors are doing too much research and should be doing more with extension. Funding tracks guide this choice of priorities so that there are no human resources left for helping growers learn from the research. Keep the Federal IPM Initiative Practical: The federal government should be careful how it initiates the IPM initiative. Let's not create an extra bureaucratic layer. Let's financially support the entities already involved, and lets make sure the IPM coordination teams keep our interests in mind! Pinpoint Problems before Defining Solutions. Aid Both Large and Small Farms: Small growers have bigger risks, sometimes a family's entire livelihood. Larger farms can be more innovative and have an easier time installing biocontrol projects on larger tracks. For this reason, the small farm must not be overlooked as a target for technology transfer. Large growers also benefit when the farm advisor helps the small farmers. Cynthia Lashbrook explained,Since we and our neighbors live on our farms, we are eager to reduce pesticide use. In addition to transitioning her almonds from conventional to organic 6 years ago, she is a PCA working with 30-60 growers who want to leave their land to future generations. They want to see quail and red-tail hawk back on their property. Here are her policy recommendations: Cooperation between Cooperative Extension and Growers: The growers in her area have tried alternative strategies at their own risk, and a lot of the methods they're using don't have a lot of documentation. There is a needed and growing partnership of UC Coop Extension with the farmers who started these systems on their own, and with researchers and independent PCA's. People involved in agriculture from all angles need to work together to try to succeed with fewer chemical inputs. Administrative Funding to Organize Expertise for Grower Groups: The BIOS program (28 growers in Merced and 25 in Stanislaus Counties) benefits from a mixture of expertise to come up with a management plan for each farm. The most important part is the interface of all the expertise. The California BIOS bill will move the process into other crops. Where we need the funding in the BIOS projects is in the administration of the projects to strengthen the flow of information and to set up the on-farm activities. A Whole-systems Approach in Research: Researchers need to learn how to study with new statistical models to help show the value of different treatments. There is nobody that's going to make a bunch of money off of many of these products and systems and their value is very hard to prove because of the nature of complex systems. Right now the growers and extension people and farm advisors don't think holistic strategies based on complexity are real, because they seem so far from our usual experience. No two farms can be treated alike. The same augmentative releases with Trichogramma in an orchard with a bare ground agri-desert understory may not have the same resulting low damage counts as a farm with a cover crop. We need guidelines on how to make biocontrol releases as successful as possible. Pest Management Zones: Problems come up where you have a small block surrounded by pesticide users. We need pest management zones to protect from drift and expand diversity of untreated habitat. BIOS is a regional support group for learning methods, monitoring and identification of natural enemies. Within the meetings, the farmers interact and talk. It helps them balance the pesticide-oriented coffeeshop talk and being hit by chemical sales oriented PCAs who recommend sprays when there is no potential for economic damage. A farmer standing alone and reading only the trade magazines is not as comfortable as a farmer who comes to the BIOS group and can get alternatives first-hand from experienced growers. ANBP members help the pest control advisors working with the BIOS growers with how to make successful releases of biocontrol organisms. Commodity Boards Should Support Use of Alternatives: It is terrible to see boards, packers and funders knocking people who are pulling out pesticides. These growers should pull a premium and get benefits from growing products with less pesticide instead of being penalized. Carol Glenister spoke on behalf of the ANBP Regulatory Committee and is President of IPM Labs. She shared a chronology of the year's activities trying to educate APHIS about what regulations are appropriate for importation and movement of beneficial organisms. She explained that pesticide policy is being approached two different ways. Neither agency has a clear and direct mandate to implement regulations of biological controls. EPA: Our products are legally defined as pesticides, then they are exempted from regulation as pesticides, because it is held that they are already adequately regulated by APHIS. APHIS: Our products are called pests according to the only laws available to APHIS by which to make regulations. This year we experienced the first withdrawal of a permit for movement of an indigenous organism. The ANBP white paper on convergent lady beetles explained that there was no good reason why the permit was withdrawn and APHIS reconsidered its decision for existing permitholders because of the damaging impact on their businesses. Key points are: If they seek to require pure cultures, no other commodities are required to be so pure. Fear that lady beetles might be over-fished is unfounded and already comes under the jurisdiction of Fish and Wildlife, not USDA. Users say they buy them because they work and new research shows that they do. One ironic example of a much-talked about negative environmental impact is the Harmonia lady beetle released by APHIS that traveled over 20 years and overwinters in people's homes creating a temporary nuisance. SOME COMMENTS IN THE OPEN FORUM: Bill Olkowski (Bio-Integral Resource Center): We are concerned about how to bring about pesticide use reduction to protect surface and ground waters and keep methyl bromide from damaging the ozone layer. The regulatory effort needs to be geared to real problems. The current activity from APHIS on the movement of biological control organisms looks like harassment rather than responsible regulatory activity. Everett Dietrick(Rincon-Vitova Insectaries): We want you to take some common sense back to Washington. Larry Elworth(USDA): Common sense in Washington? You're right, our priority needs to be on more education and less legislation, for consumer awareness, teaching the end-user and more effective incentive systems for the private sector toward IPM. Bob Luck (UCR): How does the discussion of policy fit into actual programs? I can't release Aphytis in citrus without controlling all the other pests in the system. The PCA and the grower have to want to work with the program. It has to be an "US" show. We are talking as though IPM is some sort of definable state. It is really an on-going process. It takes cooperation to put together research. Sole funding can't come just from government. We need to hang out some carrots to the commodity groups. Grower-funded programs would be the top priority, because they could leverage tax dollars. Paul Gosslein (CAL-EPA): Nothing is worth anything if it relies on an infusion of government funding. We want to avoid more licensing systems. While alternative technologies are evolving, emphasis should be on management programs in which biologicals are going to be conserved. How can the state help identify and disseminate good models of how this can work? Recorded and summarized by Jan Dietrick BENEFICIAL PROFILE: Goniozus legneri Gordh Biological control scientist Dr. Fred Legner imported this Hymenopteran ectophagus larval parasitoid of the Bethylidae family from Argentina and Uruguay in 1979-80. It was released in a study in the San Joaquin Valley for control of navel orangeworm, a pest of almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, dates, carob and loquat. The docile wasp will inoculate all trees within one month of an initial inoculation and spread to at least 8 surrounding trees within 3 months and up to 1,000 feet within 8 months. It overwinters wherever no broad-spectrum pesticides are used, responding in spring to increasing navel orangeworm densities. Even light oils can be harmful to Goniozus wasps and they are difficult to establish in the presence of pesticide drift. Releases may begin mid-April or sooner, but may also be done from July and after harvest to enhance control for the next season. Mummy almonds removed from the trees during the dormant season should be placed in window-screened, water- protected containers and hung in tree scaffolds in the orchard, protected from any dormant sprays. The Goniozus wasps can then escape through the screen, leaving pest moths behind. Goniozus legneri was first produced commercially by Rincon-Vitova Insectaries in the early 1980's, but the University Extension was still promoting dormant oil sprays and pesticides, so the growers did not get help from Farm Advisors to learn how to use this beneficial insect to their advantage. With no demand among growers, commercial production was discontinued. A decade later Bo-Biotrol started commercial production and now three insectaries including ANBP member Foothill Ag Research, now produce the beneficial for the nut orchard market in the San Joaquin Valley. California almond grower and Pest Control Advisor Cynthia Lashbrook made the February 1995 cover story in Nut Grower for successful use of commercial Goniozus legneri augmentation in her growers orchards. Submitted by Jan Dietrick NEW RESOURCES Biological Control with Egg Parasitoids, Ed. E. Wajnberg and S. A. Hassan, CAB International on behalf of IOBC. CABI, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 8DE, UK, or in North America: University of Arizona Press, 1-800-426-3797 ($77.37). Papers coming out of the IOBC meetings in Europe: Designing and Implementing Quality Control of Beneficial Insects: Towards More Reliable Biological Pest Control", Report of the Second Workshop, Evora, Portugal, 17-20, 9/94, J. C. van lenteren, Department of Entomology, Wageningen Agriculture Univiversity, P.O. Box 8031, 6700 EH Wageningen, The Netherlands. Basic Statistical Tools for Quality Control Workers and Molecular Methods for Identifying Species (or even strains) Used for Biological Control, E. Wajnberg, Laboratoire de Biologie des Invertebres, Unite de Biologie des Populations, INRA - 37 BD du Cap, 06600 Antibes, France (email: wajnberg@antibes inra fr) Broadening the Base: Financing Safer Pest Management Systems in California", by Charles Benbrook for California EPA, Department of Pesticide Regulation, Pest Management Advisory Committee (PMAC). A discussion of projects and scenarios, legislation affecting access to funding, private foundations, federal budget process, program goals, funding levels, guidelines and application instructions, details on appropriated levels of USDA research and extension programs. Copies obtainable from James W. Wells, Director, DPR, 1020 N. Street, Room 100, Sacramento, CA 95814-5624. Bio-Control Matters A Publication of the Association of Natural Bio-Control Producers - Winter to Spring 1995 2 Bio-Control Matters News Quarterly of the Natural Bio-Control Industry Winter- Spring 1995 From rpeter@nmsu.edu Fri Mar 24 23:13:34 EST 1995 Article: 1681 of bionet.mycology Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!jobone!lynx.unm.edu!dns1.NMSU.Edu!bilbo!rpeter From: rpeter@nmsu.edu (Peter Herman x5495) Newsgroups: bionet.mycology Subject: Re: Q: using endomychoritzas for agricultural purposes Date: 21 Mar 1995 21:40:16 GMT Organization: New Mexico State University Lines: 24 Message-ID: <3knh40$26l@dns1.NMSU.Edu> References: <3k8m5o$eco@plootu.helsinki.fi> NNTP-Posting-Host: bilbo.nmsu.edu In article <3k8m5o$eco@plootu.helsinki.fi> laakkone@cc.helsinki.fi (Tero Laakkonen) writes: >hi, > >i am an organic farmer from hollola, southern finland. i have read intriguing >reports on using endomychoritzas to mine nutrients out of the depths for >the benefit of cultivated plants (eg. grains). our fields are said to >contain a lot of potash, and i want to use endomychoritzas to mine it out. > >can someone point me to a comprehensive guide on how to use these techniques? > On a recent trip to Uppsala, I met a Finnish researcher in mycorrhizae who is interested in agricultural applications of AMF . His name is Mauritz Vestberg and he is located at the research center in Laukka. I am sure he can steer you to the appropriate information Peter * Peter Herman, Dept. of Biology Phone: +1 505 646 4532 * * New Mexico State University Fax: +1 505 646 5665 * * Box 30001, Dept. 3AF * * Las Cruces, NM 88003 USA e-mail rpeter@nmsu.edu * From steved@helios.oit.unc.eduThu Apr 4 11:12:11 1996 Date: Sat, 23 Sep 1995 23:28:03 -0500 (CDT) From: Steve Diver To: soils-l@unl.edu Subject: Albrecht and Reams fertility Soil Scientists, What can you say about the soil fertility concepts and practices advocated by the late Drs. William Albrecht and Carey Reams? I have access to literature and know of several alternative soil labs and consultants who work within the framework of these fertility systems, but want to know what ASA/SSSA members can offer in support of or against these methods. On another level, to the extent that these consultants are working with farmers who manage well over 1 million acres of farmland via these alternative fertility practices, why doesn't this garner more interest amongst soil scientists? Specifically, what about: The Morgan Soil Test, published as a Univ. of CT Agric. Experiment Station Bulletin decades ago. How common is this in soil labs these days? The LaMotte Soil Test The Morgan Universal Soil Extract The Albrecht method of cation balancing, with Ca:Mg at an optimum ratio of 7:1, etc. The Reams concept of Biological Theory of Ionization, which says plants derive energy from the resistance between elements The concept of anionic (vegetative) and cationic (fruiting) phases of plant growth, as per Reams Importance of rock phosphate and hi-calcium lime The use of an electrical conductivity meter to evaluate soil energy (ERGS=Energy Released per Second per Gram of Soil) The use of a refractometer to monitor sugar content of leaves, to predict tolerance to pests and devise foliar feeds Radionics, or the use of radionic instruments as a bioassay/diagnostic tool in fertility programs, used by practitioners of Reams I am working on a publication that will summarize these alternative practices, and any insights, research, or citations you can offer will be appreciated. Thanks! Steve Diver Fayetteville, AR U.S.A. From wmb5@psu.edu Fri Jul 22 21:24:31 1994 Date: Fri, 22 Jul 1994 17:57:14 -0500 From: William Bode To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Cc: wrdennig@cruzio.com Subject: Aquaculture About two weeks ago someone requested information on tilapia and aquaculture. Today I found the following on the Purdue University Gopher which I thought might be of interest. Accessing Aquaculture Information Through the Aquaculture Network Information Center (AquaNIC) LaDon Swann Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Department of Animal Sciences Purdue University What is AquaNIC AquaNIC is a gateway to the world's electronic resources in aquaculture. AquaNIC is maintained at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and is supported by The Libraries of Purdue University, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program, and the United States Department of Agriculture Extension Service. Accessing AquaNIC AquaNIC uses a Gopher server located in The Libraries of Purdue University and is linked to an Almanac server in Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. There are four methods that can be used to access information. Each method depends on the capabilities at your location. (Information necessary to access AquaNIC is provided below.) If you do not have the capability to access AquaNIC directly, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service or Sea Grant Office. GOPHER If your institution has a Gopher server, AquaNIC can be accessed directly. First, you must find Gopher servers in the United States. AquaNIC is located at Purdue University, located in Indiana. Once you are at Purdue University go to the Libraries of Purdue University. AquaNIC is located under the heading of Scholarly Databases. TELNET AquaNIC can be accessed by people with a connection to the Internet through telneting to The Libraries of Purdue University. This is accomplished by telenetting to: thorplus.lib.purdue.edu When the connection is established you will be prompted to login. At the login prompt type: cwis (this must be lower case letters) You will then be prompted for a password. There is no password, so press return. The first screen contains a list of 16 menu items. AquaNIC is located in the menu: Scholarly Databases To move around the menus, follow the instructions at the bottom of the screen. Once in a document, use the spacebar to go down one page at a time. To exit a document, type the letter "Q" for quit then press the return key. This sequence will take you back to the previous menu. Information can be mailed to your e-mail address by going to the end of the document and entering m for mail. MOSAIC Mosaic is a network-based hypermedia gopher interface. Mosaic is gaining in popularity because of the ability to view inline images. AquaNIC can be accessed through the Libraries of Purdue University. The address is: gopher://thorplus.lib.purdue.edu:70/11/databases/AquaNIC MODEM AquaNIC can be accessed using one of Purdue University's fifty 14,400 baud per second (bps) modems. It is not necessary for the caller to also have a 14,400 bps, but slower modems mean slower communications. Regardless of the modem used, your communication software must be set as follows: Phone number 317-496-1440 Data bits = 8 Parity = none Stop bits = 1 When settings are made, number called and connection made, you will be prompted for username. Type your name. Next, enter: connect thorplus.lib.purdue.edu At the login prompt type: cwis You will then be prompted for a password. There is no password so press return. The first screen contains a list of 16 menu items. AquaNIC is located in the menu: Scholarly Databases Information can be mailed to your e-mail address by going to the end of the document and entering m for mail. If you do not have an e-mail address but do have a modem follow the instructions provided when the shift and d keys are pressed. ALMANAC AquaNIC information can be requested by e-mail using Almanac. Use the e-mail address: almanac@ecn.purdue.edu In the body of the text leave a blank line then type the following line exactly as provided: send aquanic catalog A catalog will be sent to your email address. Single or multiple document requests can be made by following the instructions in the catalog. AquaNIC Contents AquaNIC is a multi-branched directory containing a wide variety of information. Most documents can either be viewed on your computer monitor, downloaded via modem, or a hard copy sent to your e-mail address. AquaNIC also contains an image directory that holds hundreds of pictures, short videos, and slides in a variety of common image formats. (A long term object is to use AquaNIC as a medium for on-line interactive media use by county Cooperative Extension Service field staff.) One of AquaNIC's unique features is that it is linked to several other aquaculture databases on the Internet. These links are established for you when another aquaculture database is selected. The directory structure of AquaNIC is given below. 1. About AquaNIC 2. Search e-mail addresses 3. Search titles 4. Search text 5. Publications a. USDA Regional Aquaculture Centers 1. Extension Publications 2. Technical Reports 3. Annual Progress Reports b. Federal Government Reports c. State Extension or Sea Grant Publications 6. Newsletters a. USDA Regional Aquaculture Centers b. National Association of State Aquaculture Coordinators c. State 7. Other Aquaculture Information ON the Internet 8. Other Aquaculture Information NOT ON the Internet 9. E-mail Directory of U.S. Aquaculture Contacts 10. E-mail Directory of International Aquaculture Contacts 11. Calendar of Events 12. News Flashes 13. Images 14. Job Announcements Searching AquaNIC Information Information in AquaNIC may be searched three ways using a search engine called "jughead." A title search will search for any word that appears in the title of a document. This method is a good general search method. A full-text search will search for any keyword in the text of a document. Full-text searches using the word aquaculture for example may provide hundreds of "hits". Therefore, the search should be specific. Searches can be narrowed by using more that one keyword. For example, using "aquaculture and Indiana and Illinois and goldfish" would instruct the computer to list only entries that contain all four key words. The search engine recognizes the separators: and, or and not The last keyword search mechanism is for e-mail addresses. When a search for e-mail addresses is conducted use as much of the person's name as possible. Who to Contact for More Information AquaNIC is a flexible electronic information center that is intended to be responsive to the needs of its customers. If you have information that you would like to include or have questions regarding AquaNIC contact: Mark Einstein meinstei@hub.ansc.purdue.edu voice: 317-494-4862 fax: 317-494-9346 or LaDon Swann lswann@hub.ansc.purdue.edu. voice: 317-494-6264 fax: 317-494-9347 William Bode (wmb5@psu.edu) Entomology Dept., Penn State University 501 ASI Bldg., University Park, PA 16802 voice: 814-863-1854 fax: 814-865-3048 From bheising@charlie.usd.edu Sun Jan 1 21:41:21 EST 1995 Article: 49889 of rec.gardens Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!newsfeed.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!hobbes.physics.uiowa.edu!cobra.uni.edu!sunfish!charlie.usd.edu!BHEISING Newsgroups: rec.gardens Subject: Austrees Message-ID: From: bheising@charlie.usd.edu Date: Wed, 28 Dec 1994 20:24:31 GMT Reply-To: bheising@charlie.usd.edu Sender: news@sunfish.usd.edu Organization: The University of South Dakota Nntp-Posting-Host: charlie Lines: 12 I live in Vermillion, SD, zone 4. I would like to hear from anyone who has had experience growing Austrees. These are supposedly sterile male clones of Salix Matsudana X alba, and are sold by Rocky Mountain Austree in Colorad Springs, CO. I would like to know if they are reliably winter hardy in similar climates, and if they are likely to get out of control and become a threat to native species. I am considering planting some for bank stabilization along the Vermillion River, whose water level fluctuates a great deal over the course of a year. Thank you for any advice you can give. Barbara Heisinger From Valerie@stuart.ak.planet.co.nzSun Feb 26 21:04:15 1995 Date: Sun, 26 Feb 95 20:05:37 +1200 From: Valerie Cowperthwaite To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Soil microbes Coming late to this discussion I'd just like to point out that the biodynamic preparations have shown to be an effective microbial input. The 500 prep, made from cow dung and sprayed on pasture in spring and autumn is the best for large, general areas. The others can be incorporated into any composting process and used on the soil or as foliar feeds. John Reganold led a study in New Zealand comparing biodynamic and conventional neighbouring farms with identical soil profiles. Microbial activity was one of the signficiant differences. The study was published in Science April 17 (?) 1993. From Valerie@stuart.ak.planet.co.nzMon Feb 27 13:47:54 1995 Date: Tue, 28 Feb 95 07:10:36 +1200 From: Valerie Cowperthwaite To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Biodynamics/soil microbes Great to have such a positive response to BD. I've replied to posters separately but for others who may have the same queries - first I'm a journalist/researcher closely involved with one of the farms in the Reganold study. I'm no farmer but I'm pretty close to the action with plenty of mud and cows--t on my boots, not to mention hundreds if not thousands of planted trees to my credit. More to the point - how do we know the BD preps make the difference. In pure scientific terms of course we don't and as one poster pointed out it would make an excellent subject for a research programme. Some work was done by Pfeiffer in the US who worked with composts identical in every way except for use or non-use of individual BD preps. The ones with the preps were shown to enhance presence and activity of particular organisms. I can find the exact reference for anyone who is interested. Also forgive my lack of precise scientific terminology! In the Reganold study, which I don't have to hand at the moment, farms included dairy, cropping, mixed (livestock & crops) and some vegetable growing. Taking a pasture situation - with which I'm most familiar - the inputs from rotation/legumes/raw animal manure would have been common to both BD and chemical farms. We don't spread composted manure on our pastures. The differing inputs were the NPK fertilisers on the chemical farm as opposed to the herbal preps and fish fertiliser foliar feed (made with preps) on the BD farm. It would seem reasonable that all other things being more or less equal a starting point for research into soil microbe indicators would be the preparations. One poster, Woody, made the point that he 'would expect microbial respiration to be a product of the whole management program in general and the high organic matter in particular'. Good point and the whole management program is vital. But in our case in particular the sandy soils on which the pasture is based do not naturally contain or receive a high rate of organic matter. With From kevinduffy@aol.com Wed Jun 1 22:56:50 1994 Date: 1 Jun 1994 19:21:03 -0400 From: KEVINDUFFY To: sustag-public@twosocks.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: Permaculture and Natural Farming In article , as065@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Kathleen Lidstone) writes: Kathleen, there is a group called the "Bear Tribe" that gives courses in Permaculture. I have read books by both of these authors. Anyway the "Bear Tribe" can be reached at (215) 993-3344 or (509) 326-4505. They have many classes and books on appropriate technology and Native American traditions. Good Luck, Kevin From cyronwode@aol.com Thu Nov 10 23:19:01 EST 1994 Article: 4428 of alt.sustainable.agriculture Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!inxs.ncren.net!taco.cc.ncsu.edu!lll-winken.llnl.gov!uwm.edu!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!swiss.ans.net!newstf01.news.aol.com!newsbf01.news.aol.com!not-for-mail From: cyronwode@aol.com (Cyronwode) Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture Subject: Re: PERMACULTURE???? Date: 10 Nov 1994 16:35:08 -0500 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Lines: 68 Sender: news@newsbf01.news.aol.com Message-ID: <39u3mc$imd@newsbf01.news.aol.com> References: <39ptjs$45g@plootu.Helsinki.FI> NNTP-Posting-Host: newsbf01.news.aol.com In article <39ptjs$45g@plootu.Helsinki.FI>, laakkone@cc.Helsinki.FI (Tero Laakkonen) writes: ============== having read the book [Permaculture by Bill Mollison] i had the feeling that his methods would be: 1/ awkward and difficult in practical farming. 2/ unpredictable. no numbers in his book, just gut feeling mostly. mollison studiously avoids the use of numbers and resorts to fancy sketches. 3/ questionable: how can anybody take seriously a book with "ha-ha fences" and "two-person shovels"? just my opinion. if anybody has any experiences of permaculture working, let me know. i want numbers, not gut feeling. ======== Bill, i have seen Mollison's farm -- 180 acres. 5 acres has been under Permaculture for 6 years, the other 175 acres has only been under Permaculture for 2 years (he moved there recently from Tasmania -- and there are already 6 productive fish ponds (perch and crayfish) on what was once dry worn-out pasture. Commercial banana and mango orchards are growing (3,000 bananas, 600 mangoes), and there is a small area set aside for reforestation, too (the entire region was rainforest before clearing for pastures and he wants to bring back some of the native species). He says that when he moved there, he noted six species of birds on the land and this year the species count was up to 96, due to increased habitat. Old books on the natural history of his vicinity state that the area used to carry 120 species, so he has made significant progress in the area of recovering species diversity. Let me address your 3 objections as best i can: 1/ awkward and difficult in practical farming. Mollison and his crew use heavy equipment, work hard, long hours, and do not seem to suffer more awkwardness or difficulty than other local banana and mango farmers. 2/ unpredictable. no numbers in his book, just gut feeling mostly. mollison studiously avoids the use of numbers and resorts to fancy sketches. Mollison tries to universalize the concepts so that they will work in all bio-regions. The sketches help that effort, i think. As for numbers, i agree -- he is weak on that, especially when it comes to the caloric input/output of intensive farming...but i tend to combine Mollison's design ideas with the caloric counting of the extremely number conscious John Jeavons (Bio-Intensive Mini-Farming) to arrive at hard data on sustainable practices. 3/ questionable: how can anybody take seriously a book with "ha-ha fences" and "two-person shovels"? Tero, forgive me if i assume that English is not your first language and that this objection of yours is based on ignorance of English idioms. A "ha-ha fence" (and yes, that IS the proper English term, dating back to the 1700s at least) is a boundary that confines animals by means of terracing, moats, or other earth-works. It is called a "ha-ha" because although from the back-side, you will see the moats or earthworks, viewing it from the other direction it looks like there is no fence (that is, looking over the greensward you cannot see the moats that keep the animals >from approaching closer to you), so it fools you ("ha-ha"). A "two-person shovel" is just that -- a leverage-shovel used by two people. Do you not have those in Finland? They are not common here, because most people use gasoline powered tools, but the local organic/sustainable farm supply store down the road from me sells them under that exact same name. catherine From stevel@organic.dialix.oz.au Fri Mar 10 15:21:31 EST 1995 Article: 5626 of alt.sustainable.agriculture Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!uunet!DIALix!adelaide.DIALix.oz.au!organic Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture Subject: Re: People in Agriculture Message-ID: <95030820075800024@organic.dialix.oz.au> From: Steve Lever Date: Wed, 08 Mar 95 20:07:58 -0800 References: Reply-To: stevel@organic.dialix.oz.au X-Mailer: rnMac v1.3b5 Lines: 29 In article , lowell@cybergate.com writes: > > The question on women in Ag got me thinking... Lets dream up a list of the > 10 most important people in Agriculture throughout all time. Interesting > thought isn't it... > > My top prospects.. > (valid as it is) > > > most of the others I can think of are fairly specific to a field (for me > cotton) but what about others. :::Bill Mollison::: Here's a name that people will be remembering when we're long gone. Who is he? The originator of Permaculture as we see it today. From humble beginnings in Tasmania, Australia, his philosophies and concepts are now being taught world-wide and are having a very significant influence on how developing countries (especially) shuffle off the coil of monocultural practices commonly considered as *aid* and *development* by more *sophisticated* societies.e.g. Vietnam, Cuba, Aboriginal Australia, India, Pakistan... the list goes on. From saaimanp@sabc.co.zaThu Jun 22 22:54:56 1995 Date: Thu, 22 Jun 1995 16:40:22 +0200 From: Petrus Saaiman To: permaculture-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Bill Mollison's addresses. Thank you all for your response to my request. The results were: perminst@peg.apc.org pcjournal@peg.apc.org and Permaculture International Journal PO Box 6039, South Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia Phone: +61-66-220020 Fax : +61-66-220579 The Permaculture Institute PO Box 1, Tyalgum, NSW 2484, Australia Phone: +61-66-793442 Fax : +61-66-793567 Permaculture Resources 56 Fermersville Road Califon NJ 07830 Phone: 800-832-6285 (USA) There is life in this list, believe me! Go well - go permaculture! Petrus Saaiman (saaimanp@sabc.co.za) Acceptance Producer National Network Television South African Broadcasting Corporation Tel: ++27 11 714-5541 FAX: ++27 11 714-5541 From cohip@Cygnus.COM Wed Dec 21 19:20:09 EST 1994 Article: 2511 of sci.agriculture Newsgroups: sci.agriculture,alt.sustainable.agriculture Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!uunet!news.cygnus.com!cohip From: cohip@Cygnus.COM (Colorado HIP) Subject: Report: Industrial Hemp as a Cash Fiber Crop Message-ID: Keywords: hemp Sender: news@cygnus.com Nntp-Posting-Host: darkstar.cygnus.com Organization: Cygnus Support Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 00:34:53 GMT Lines: 589 Xref: bigblue.oit.unc.edu sci.agriculture:2511 alt.sustainable.agriculture:4889 Industrial Hemp as a Cash Crop for Colorado Farmers This document was composed from over 70 hours of research. It was intended to explain and document the benefits and economics of growing low-THC varieties of hemp as a fiber and pulp crop. With the new Hemp Commission in Kentucky, the race is on to see which states will get in on the ground floor of the new hemp industry. There will be a bill in the Colorado legislature in January to allow the cultivation of industrial hemp in Colorado. This document was designed as a lobbying and educational tool for Colorado legislators, farmers, business-people, and other interested parties. This document can be changed easily to be used as an educational tool for officials in your area. Simply replace the name "Colorado" with the name of your state. (I think Colorado only occurs twice in the document). I hope you find this report as exciting as we do! Please send any comments to bhip@darkstar.cygnus.com. Peace, Laura Kriho Colorado Hemp Initiative Project ******* BEGIN REPORT HERE ******** Industrial Hemp as a Cash Crop for Colorado Farmers Copyright 1994 by The Boulder Hemp Initiative Project. All the facts contained herein have been compiled from the sources listed below and are true to the best of our knowledge. Reproduction of this report is encouraged. We ask only that credit be given to the: Boulder Hemp Initiative Project P.O. Box 729 Nederland, CO 80466 (303) 784-5632 Email: bhip@darkstar.cygnus.com I. Definition Industrial hemp means those parts of the Cannabis sativa plant which contain less than 1.00% tetrahydrocannabinols (THC). THC is the psychoactive chemical found in Cannabis sativa. Industrial hemp is not to be confused with marijuana. Marijuana comes from the flowers of the Cannabis sativa plant and contains more than 1.00% THC.1 Industrial hemp has no psychoactive properties. Industrial hemp can be grown as a profitable, high-quality fiber crop without producing marijuana. Registered seed varieties that produce hemp containing less than 0.3% THC even in the flowers are available throughout Europe.2 Farmers in the European Community have been growing hemp for over 20 years without any problems related to marijuana.3 II. Hemp Production in Other Countries Industrial hemp is grown as a profitable fiber crop in many countries.4 Industrial hemp crops have been subsidized in the European Community since before 1988.5 In 1993, England began to produce hemp for fiber.6 In 1994, Canada harvested its first crop of industrial hemp after more than 50 years of prohibition.7 The re-emerging world hemp industry is growing steadily, and farmers are excited and enthusiastic about the potential of hemp crops. III. Hemp Production in the United States Hemp has been valued throughout this country's history as an important raw material. Until the late 1800s, almost all of our cloth was made from hemp, and virtually all of our paper was made >from hemp rags.8 From 1631 to the early 1800s, hemp was such a valued commodity that it was considered legal tender (money).9 Regions of Kentucky and Wisconsin were among the largest hemp producers.10 Hemp production seemed destined to increase dramatically in the 1930s, when an invention called the decorticator began getting wide attention.11 The decorticator strips the hemp fiber >from the stalk. This had been the most labor-intensive and expensive part of producing hemp.12 The decorticator was to hemp what the cotton gin was to cotton. The invention prompted a 1937 Popular Mechanics magazine to call hemp the "New Billion Dollar Crop"13 and Mechanical Engineering magazine to call it "The Most Desirable Crop That Can Be Grown."14 However, the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act dealt a fatal blow to the promising hemp fiber industry. The Act established a prohibitive tax on hemp manufacturers and distributors as well as on hemp transactions.15 It was modeled after a similar tax that was enacted to prohibit machine guns. The transfer tax of $1.00/ounce effectively ended all hemp production in the United States by making commerce in hemp prohibitively expensive. Restrictions on hemp production were eased briefly in the United States during World War II when Japan invaded the Philippines, cutting off the supply of abaca (Manila hemp).16 The U.S. Navy desperately needed a domestic supply of hemp to provide the lines and rigging for its fleet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture encouraged farmers to produce hemp for the war effort by distributing a film called "Hemp for Victory!".17 After World War II, the hemp industry declined as the federal government again began to restrict hemp production.18 Farmers continued to produce hemp on a limited scale until the 1950s.19 However, legislation eventually came to treat industrial hemp crops as marijuana (drug) crops, and hemp fiber production was no longer promoted. Currently, hemp production is treated as a felony in the United States because it is assumed that all hemp crops will produce marijuana. With the advent of industrial hemp and low-THC seed varieties, this is no longer true. Hemp can now be grown as a profitable fiber crop in the United States with absolutely no danger of increasing marijuana use. IV. Raw Materials and Products from Hemp Hemp consists of three principal raw materials: fiber, seeds, and hurds. Hemp is principally grown for the bast fiber it produces from its stalk. However, the seeds and hurds are also important economically. 1) Fiber: The hemp stalk is composed of 20% fiber.20 Hemp is the strongest natural fiber in the world.21 It is valued for its strength and durability when used for textiles, cordage, and paper. Textiles: The fiber can be made into any type of cloth, >from the finest linen to the coarsest canvas.22 The word canvas comes from the Arabic word for hemp.23 Cloth made from hemp fiber is stronger, warmer, more durable, more absorbent, and softer than cotton.24 Cordage: Hemp rope has been valued throughout history for its superior strength and resistance to deterioration in salt or fresh water.25 Paper: Paper made from hemp is known as the "archivist's perfect paper" because it lasts much longer than tree pulp paper and does not harden, crack, yellow, or crumble with age.26 Hemp fiber can be used to make every grade of paper.27 2) Hurds: The hemp stalk is composed of 80% hurds.28 The hurds are the woody inner portion of the hemp stalk that are separated from the hemp fiber.29 The hurds are 50% - 77% cellulose,30 which makes them ideal for use in paper and plastic products. Paper: One acre of hemp hurds can make as much pulp for paper as four acres of trees.31 Hemp paper can be whitened without producing dioxins and lasts much longer than paper made >from trees.32 Particle Board: Hemp hurds can be pressed and injected with phenolic resin to make a particle board that is resistant to fire and water.33 The board also makes a good insulation and thermal barrier.34 Plastic: Plastics were first made from plant cellulose (i.e., cellophane, celluloid).35 The hemp hurd is one of the richest sources of plant cellulose,36 a building block of modern industry. Plastics made from hemp instead of petroleum would be biodegradable.37 Animal Bedding: The hurds make an excellent animal bedding because they absorb more liquid and compost faster than wood shavings.38 3) Seed: The hemp seed is composed of two raw materials: the seed oil and the seed cake. Seed Oil: The hemp seed is composed of 30% oil.39 Food: Hemp seed oil contains over 70% cholesterol-fighting essential fatty acids, the highest of any seed oil.40 Fuel: Hemp seed oil can be chemically combined easily with 15% methanol to provide a premium diesel fuel substitute.41 This hemp bio-diesel fuel burns 70% cleaner than petroleum diesel in soot and particulate pollution.42 Paints and varnishes: Hemp seed oil dries quickly and leaves a thin elastic film.43 Lubricant: Hemp seed oil makes an ideal all-purpose lubricant.44 Seed Cake: The seed cake is the solid part of the seeds that remains after the oil is expelled. Food: Hemp seed cake makes a nutritional, high-protein supplement to wheat flour. It contains 25% protein.45 Whole Seed: The whole hemp seed contains 20% high-quality digestible complete protein.46 Food: The hemp seed can be eaten as a nutritious snack, like sunflower seeds. Bird Feed: Birds like hemp seed because of its nourishing, oily content.47 V. Economics of Hemp Production A hemp crop could be sold for at least $860 per acre. Since a hemp crop produces three different raw materials each year, the total value of hemp far exceeds other crops grown for a single material. The chart below compares yields of hemp and comparable crops. Since there are currently no domestic hemp crops being sold in the United States, the prices for comparable crops were used to estimate the prices for domestic hemp fiber, hurds, and seed. Hemp fiber is compared to cotton for textile production. Hemp hurds are compared to wood chip prices and Douglas fir yield for paper production. Hemp seed is compared to soybeans for oil seed production. Production costs were not factored into this estimate, although hemp would be considerably less expensive to produce than cotton (see Section VI -- Hemp Cultivation). Estimated Value of a Hemp Crop Yield*48 X Price = Value/Acre Fiber: 1,100 lbs./acre $.60/lb. (cotton) $660.00 Hurds: 2.5 tons/acre $50/ton (wood chips) $125.00 Seed: 15 bu./acre $5/bu. (soybean) $75.00 --------- Hemp Total Value/Acre $860.00 Value of Comparable Crops 49 Total Yield X Price = Value/Acre Cotton 578 lbs./acre $.60/lb. $347.00 Douglas 1 ton/acre $50/ton $50.00 fir Soybeans 34 bu./acre $5/bu. $170.00 * The hemp yields are based on historical and limited current figures. These are conservative estimates; the actual yields will probably be 2 to 3 times higher. Hemp prohibition has stifled contemporary research in the field of hemp production. VI. Hemp Cultivation Hemp is easy to grow.50 Hemp is an annual herbaceous crop that grows from 5 to 16 feet tall in a season of four months.51 It will grow in all 50 states.52 It is a good rotation crop.53 Hemp has long roots that penetrate and break the soil to leave it in perfect condition for the next crop.54 Production costs for hemp would be considerably lower than cotton's. Herbicides are not needed because fiber hemp is sown thickly and chokes out competing weeds.55 Pesticide use is limited because hemp has few insect enemies.56 VII. Current Hemp Market in the United States Hundreds of entrepreneurs are now selling imported hemp products. However, they are stifled by high prices and uncertain availability since all of the hemp is imported from overseas. Demand for hemp products in the U.S. is enormous. Hemp clothing and accessories have become a fashion trend.57 Tree-free hemp paper is also in demand.58 The market has a potential of as much as $15 to $30 billion a year.59 VIII. Potential for New Jobs Hemp production in Colorado would create new farming opportunities and make Colorado farmers competitive in the global market against countries that already grow hemp for fiber. It would also create thousands of processing and manufacturing jobs in such industries as textiles, plastics, pulp paper, energy, timber, construction, and food. The retail market for tree-free paper and building materials, for biodegradable plastics, for soft and durable natural clothing, and for other hemp products has huge potential. IX. Benefits of Hemp Production Hemp will be a profitable crop for farmers because of the volume of hemp each crop produces, the number of different products that can be made from hemp, and the demand for hemp products. Not only is hemp profitable, but it is a desirable crop to grow for other reasons. Hemp is a renewable and sustainable resource. It will help shift our economy away from dwindling non-renewable petroleum resources and help preserve our forest resources. Hemp is the strongest natural fiber.60 It has an extremely high cellulose content.61 It is biodegradable.62 It requires no herbicides to grow.63 It can be used to make paper, cloth, rope, particle board, plastic, paint, varnishes, linoleum, dynamite, fuel, food, and cardboard. It will create new jobs and make Colorado competitive with other countries. It is the fiber of the 1990s. Copyright 1994 by The Boulder Hemp Initiative Project. All the facts contained herein have been compiled from the sources listed below and are true to the best of our knowledge. Reproduction of this report is encouraged. We ask only that credit be given to the: Boulder Hemp Initiative Project P.O. Box 729 Nederland, CO 80466 (303) 784-5632 Email: bhip@darkstar.cygnus.com References 1. Since 1980, THC levels of confiscated marijuana have averaged between 3% and 4% THC. (National Institute for Drug Abuse, University of Mississippi, Mississippi Potency Monitoring Project, Report #50, June 30, 1994). 2. a) Federation Nationale des Producteurs de Chanvre (National Federation of Hemp Producers), LeMans, France, Jean-Paul Mathieu, director. b) Hungarian Agricultural Research Institute (GATE), Kompolt, Hungary. c) International Hemp Association, Postbus 75007, 1070 AA Amsterdam, The Netherlands. d) Sensi Seed, P.O. Box 1771, Rotterdam BT-3000 Holland. e) Ukrainian Institute of Bast Crops, Glukhov, Sumy Region, SSR Ukraine. 3. "British Farmers to Grow Cannabis -- Legally", Reuter's press release, Feb. 18, 1993. 4. These countries include Canada, China, England, France, Holland, Hungary, Ukraine, Tasmania. From Rosenthal, Ed. Hemp Today. Oakland, CA: Quick American Archives, 1994. 5. Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 1164/89 of 28 April 1989 "Laying down the detailed rules concerning the aid for fibre flax and hemp", No. L 121, Vol. 32, pp. 4-9, April 29, 1989. 6. "British Farmers to Grow Cannabis -- Legally", Reuter News Service, Feb. 18, 1993. 7. Turner, Craig, "Legalize hemp? Other countries say yes", Boulder Daily Camera, May 22, 1994. 8. Herer, Jack. The Emperor Wears No Clothes: The Authoritative Historical Record of the Cannabis Plant. Van Nuys, CA: HEMP Publishing, 1992, pp. 5-7. 9. Herer, Jack. The Emperor Wears No Clothes: The Authoritative Historical Record of the Cannabis Plant. Van Nuys, CA: HEMP Publishing, 1992, p. 1. 10. Hemp for Victory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1942. 11. "New Billion-Dollar Crop", Popular Mechanics, February 1938, pp. 238-240. 12. "New Billion-Dollar Crop", Popular Mechanics, February 1938, pp. 238-240. 13. "New Billion-Dollar Crop", Popular Mechanics, February 1938, pp. 238-240. 14. Lower, George A. "Flax and Hemp: From the Seed to the Loom", Mechanical Engineering, Feb. 26, 1937. 15. United States Congress. House of Representatives. Committee on Ways and Means. Hearings on H.R. 6385. Taxation of Marihuana. April 27, 28, 29, 30 and May 4, 1937. 75th Congress, 2nd session. 16. "It's a Hemp Year." Business Week. April 24, 1943. 17. Hemp for Victory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1942. 18. Brecher, Edward M. Licit and Illicit Drugs: A Consumers Union Report, Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1972, p. 419. 19. Miller, Richard Lawrence. Hemp as a Crop for Missouri Farmers: Markets, Economics, Cultivation, Law. Report to Agricultural Task Force, Missouri House of Representatives, Summer 1991. 20. Lower, George A., "Flax and Hemp: From the Seed to the Loom", Mechanical Engineering, Feb. 26, 1937. 21. a) Castellini, Luigi. "The Hemp Plant", CIBA Review, 1961-62, pp. 2-31. b) Lower, George A., "Flax and Hemp: From the Seed to the Loom", Mechanical Engineering, Feb. 26, 1937. 22. "New Billion-Dollar Crop", Popular Mechanics, February 1938, pp. 238-240. 23. Hemp for Victory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1942. 24. Herer, Jack. The Emperor Wears No Clothes: The Authoritative Historical Record of the Cannabis Plant. Van Nuys, CA: HEMP Publishing, 1992, p. 6. 25. Lower, George A. "Flax and Hemp: From the Seed to the Loom", Mechanical Engineering, Feb. 26, 1937. 26. Conrad, Chris. Hemp: Lifeline to the Future. Los Angeles: Creative Xpressions Publications, 1993, p. 24. 27. "New Billion-Dollar Crop", Popular Mechanics, February 1938, pp. 238-240. 28. Lower, George A. "Flax and Hemp: From the Seed to the Loom", Mechanical Engineering, Feb. 26, 1937. 29. Dewey, Lyster H. and Merrill, Jason L. "Hemp Hurds as Paper-Making Material", Bulletin No. 404, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oct. 14, 1916. 30. a) "New Billion-Dollar Crop", Popular Mechanics, February 1938, pp. 238- 240. b) "It's time to reconsider hemp" Pulp and Paper, June 1991. c) West, C.J. "Hemp Wood as a Paper-making Material", Paper Trade Journal, Oct. 13, 1921. 31. Dewey, Lyster H. and Merrill, Jason L. "Hemp Hurds as Paper-Making Material", Bulletin No. 404, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oct. 14, 1916. 32. Correspondence from D. Paul Stanford, president, Tree-Free EcoPaper, Portland, OR, January 1993. 33. a) "Isochanvre (Insuhemp): Nature is an Architect". Chenevotte Habitat, "LeVerger", F 72260 Rene, LeMans, France, Phone: 43 97 45 18. b) Rosenthal, Ed. "Hemp in Hungary", Hemp Today, Oakland, CA: Quick American Archives, 1994, p. 242. 34. "Isochanvre (Insuhemp): Nature is an Architect". Chenevotte Habitat, "LeVerger", F 72260 Rene, LeMans, France, Phone: 43 97 45 18. 35. "DuPont". American Peoples Encyclopedia, 1953. 36. "New Billion-Dollar Crop", Popular Mechanics, February 1938, pp. 238-240. 37. Conrad, Chris. Hemp: Lifeline to the Future. Los Angeles: Creative Xpressions Publications, 1993, p. 101. 38. Rosenthal, Ed. "Hemp in England" (Conversations with Ian Low, Hemcore Corp, Essex, U.K.) Hemp Today, Oakland, CA: Quick American Archives, 1994, p. 205. 39. Wirshafter, Don. "Why Hemp Seeds?" Hemp Today, Oakland, CA: Quick American Archives, 1994, p. 171. 40. Erasmus, Udo. Fats and Oils: The Complete Guide to Fats and Oils in Health and Nutrition, Vancouver: Alive Books, 1991, p. 231. 41. a) Korus, R. "Transesterfication Process and Manufacture of Ethyl Ester from Rape Oil". Proceedings of the First Biomass Conference of the Americas, Burlington, VT, Aug. 30 - Sept. 2, 1993. b) Reed, T. "Overview of Biodiesel Fuels". Proceedings of the First Biomass Conference of the Americas, Burlington, VT, Aug. 30 - Sept. 2, 1993. c) Interview with A. Das, Biomass Energy Foundation, P.O. Box 7137, Boulder, CO 80306, (303) 225-8356, October 1994. 42. Reed, T. "Overview of Biodiesel Fuels". Proceedings of the First Biomass Conference of the Americas, Burlington, VT, Aug. 30 - Sept. 2, 1993. 43. "Hemp". Merit Student's Encyclopedia (1982), New York: MacMillan Educational Company, pp. 520 - 521. 44. Conrad, Chris. Hemp: Lifeline to the Future. Los Angeles: Creative Xpressions Publications, 1993, p. 140. 45. Interview with A. Das, Biomass Energy Foundation, P.O. Box 7137, Boulder, CO 80306, (303) 225-8356, October 1994. 46. Wirshafter, Don. "Why Hemp Seeds?" Hemp Today, Oakland, CA: Quick American Archives, 1994, p. 171. 47. McKenny, M. Birds in the Garden and How to Attract Them. New York: Reynall and Hitchcock, 1939, pp. 64-65. 48. The hemp yield estimates are an average of figures taken from the sources listed below. Many of the more recent hemp production figures have shown yields 2 to 3 times higher than the averages used in the text. a) Agricultural Statistics, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1949. b) Dewey, Lyster H. and Merrill, Jason L. "Hemp Hurds as Paper-Making Material", Bulletin No. 404, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oct. 14, 1916. c) Haney, Alan. "An Ecological Study of Naturalized Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in East-Central Illinois". The American Midland Naturalist, January 1975. d) "Hemp Slows Up" Business Week. Jan. 22, 1944. e) FAO Production Yearbook 1986. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization, 1987. f) Letters from Professor Goloborodko, Director, All Union Bast Crops Institute, Glokov, Ukraine. In Birrenbach, John. Report B: Hemp for Paper, St. Paul, MN: Institute for Hemp, 1993. g) Lower, George A. "Flax and Hemp: From the Seed to the Loom", Mechanical Engineering, Feb. 26, 1937. h) Merit Student's Encyclopedia (1982), pp. 520 - 521. New York: MacMillan Educational Company. i) Miller, Richard Lawrence. Hemp as a Crop for Missouri Farmers: Markets, Economics, Cultivation, Law. Report to Agricultural Task Force, Missouri House of Representatives, Summer 1991. j) Robinson, B.B., "Hemp", Farmers' Bulletin No. 1935, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1943 edition and 1952 revised edition. 49. Cotton, soybean, wheat and corn figures come from: Costs of Production (1987), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. Wood chip figures come from: Rosenthal, Ed. Hemp Today, Oakland, CA: Quick American Archives, 1994, pp. 73 and 79. Douglas fir figures come from: Conde, William, et al. Wood Fiber Demand Can Be Met with Hemp Fiber. Published by: C & S Specialty Builders, 23005 N. Coburg Rd., Harrisburg, OR 97446, (503) 995-6164. 50. "New Billion-Dollar Crop", Popular Mechanics, February 1938, pp. 238-240. 51. Robinson, B.B. "Hemp". Farmers' Bulletin No. 1935, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1943 edition and 1952 revised edition. 52. "New Billion-Dollar Crop", Popular Mechanics, February 1938, pp. 238-240. 53. Dewey, Lyster. "Hemp". Yearbook of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1913. 54. "New Billion-Dollar Crop", Popular Mechanics, February 1938, pp. 238-240. 55. Lower, George A. "Flax and Hemp: From the Seed to the Loom", Mechanical Engineering, Feb. 26, 1937. 56. Dewey, Lyster. "Hemp". Yearbook of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1913. 57. Zeman, N. & Foote, D. "Turning over a New Old Leaf: An Unfashionable Icon Comes Back in Fashion." Newsweek, Feb. 8, 1993, p. 60. 58. Correspondence from D. Paul Stanford, president, Tree-Free EcoPaper, Portland, OR, January 1993. 59. a) Birrenbach, John. Report B: Hemp for Paper, St. Paul, MN: Institute for Hemp. b) Rosenthal, Ed. Hemp Today. Oakland, CA: Quick American Archives, 1994. 60. a) Castellini, Luigi. "The Hemp Plant", CIBA Review, 1961-62, pp. 2-31. b) Lower, George A. "Flax and Hemp: From the Seed to the Loom", Mechanical Engineering, Feb. 26, 1937. 61. "New Billion-Dollar Crop", Popular Mechanics, February 1938, pp. 238-240. 62. Conrad, Chris. Hemp: Lifeline to the Future. Los Angeles: Creative Xpressions Publications, 1993, p. 101. 63. Lower, George A. "Flax and Hemp: From the Seed to the Loom", Mechanical Engineering, Feb. 26, 1937. -- Colorado Hemp Initiative Project P.O. Box 729 Nederland, CO 80466 (303) 784-5632 From pferraro@bud.peinet.pe.ca Tue Jan 10 23:41:41 EST 1995 Article: 1715 of alt.architecture.alternative Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-server.ncren.net!news.duke.edu!eff!news.umbc.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!torn!news.unb.ca!peinet.pe.ca!peinet.pe.ca!not-for-mail From: pferraro@bud.peinet.pe.ca (Inst. for Bioreg. Studies) Newsgroups: alt.architecture.alternative Subject: Tree slides needed Date: 9 Jan 1995 20:19:33 -0400 Organization: PEINet, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada Lines: 23 Distribution: world Message-ID: <3esjql$e5c@bud.peinet.pe.ca> NNTP-Posting-Host: bud.peinet.pe.ca I am working on a project for the Canadian Forest Service to develop a series of 5 seminars: 1. Trees for Streambank Erosion Control 2. Trees for Wildlife 3. Trees for Agriculture 4. Trees for Energy Conservation 5. Tree for Medicinal and Traditional Uses I want to put together a presentation that includes 20-40 on each of these topics. Currently I am working on an outline for each seminar and hope to have a draft of the text that will go along with each slide show completed by January 16. Does anyone have slides that would that would be applicable to the Canadian Maritime Provinces that I could borrow and copy? -- Phil Ferraro, Director Institute for Bioregional Studies 449 University Avenue Suite 126 "Developing Local Solutions to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Global Problems" Canada C1A 8K3 (902) 892-9578 From london@calypso-2 Mon Mar 14 10:31:01 1994 To: sustag-public@twosocks.ces.ncsu.edu Date: Thu, 2 Sep 93 14:58:00 -0400 From: glenn.mcknight@canrem.com (Glenn Mcknight) Message-Id: <60.869.5225.0N18307E@canrem.com> Organization: CRS Online (Toronto, Ontario) Sender: london@SunSite.unc.edu Subject: Living Machines Conference NOTICE TO MEDIA The Coalition for a Green Economic Recovery will hold a conference October 1 to 3, l993 to discuss and promote the economic andenvironmental advantages of living machines. Living machines are, simplistically, engineered water ecosystems which use natural elements such as sunlight, plants and animals to break down toxins, concentrate metals and treat organic material in sewage and waste water. Living machines can be part of clean, simple, economical and environmentally viable solutions to a number of problems. They offer less costly alternatives for municipalities planning to spend billions of taxpayers; dollars on expansions and new sewage and water treatment systems. They do not use chlorine. From london@mercury.interpath.comThu Feb 1 21:38:46 1996 Date: Thu, 01 Feb 1996 21:04:19 -0500 From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." To: london@sunsite.unc.edu Subject: http://sunsite.unc.edu/...odynamics/CSA-Directory http://sunsite.unc.edu/london/orgfarm/biodynamics/CSA-Directory -- : Venaura Farm - Organic Market Vegetable Gardens - CSA : Organic Gardening/Urban-Rural Permaculture Information Resources : http://www.interpath.net/~london -london@mercury.interpath.net : http://sunsite.unc.edu/london - london@sunsite.unc.edu [ Part 2: "Attached Text" ] From jhendrik@vms2.macc.wisc.eduMon Sep 18 22:40:37 1995 Date: Mon, 18 Sep 1995 10:49:42 -0400 From: jhendrik@vms2.macc.wisc.edu To: mooreprods@aol.com Cc: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: Information on subscription farming I would agree with the recent response cautioning against a rigid distinction between subscription farming and community supported agriculture (CSA). Having been involved in the CSA movement for the past few years, I see a continumm of farms that range from a very utilitarian, market-based subsription approach to a very community-oriented, risk-sharing approach. In between are all sorts of options and configurations that make sharp distinctions difficult. I am involved in the Madison-Area CSA Coalition (MACSAC), a group of CSA farms in southern Wisconsin that exists to promote cooperation among farms as well as collective outreach ("marketing" and education) to consumers. There are 17 farms involved in MACSAC and, while they all call themselves community supported farms, there is great diversity among them in terms of philospohy, goals, and organizational structure, etc. In regard to numbers, the Bio-Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association keeps a database of "CSA" farms accross the country. At last count there were 435 farms in the database but I think this number is substantially lower than what actually exists. Call the Bio-Dynamic Association at 1-800-516-7797. Here in the midwest, where CSA/subscription farming has been growing in leaps and bounds, the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute recently published a Regional Directory of CSA farms. There are 60 farms listed. Contact Michael Fields at (414) 642-3303. Address: W2493 County Road ES, East Troy, Wisconsin, 53120. And, to add to the conference announcements: The second annual Upper Midwest CSA Conference will be held December 1-3, in Madison, Wisconsin. Watch for a more detailed announcement coming soon! -John John Hendrickson Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems University of Wisconsin-Madison 1450 Linden Drive, Room 146 Madison, WI 53706 jhendrik@macc.wisc.edu [ Part 3: "Attached Text" ] From jhendrik@vms2.macc.wisc.eduMon Sep 18 22:40:37 1995 Date: Mon, 18 Sep 1995 10:49:42 -0400 From: jhendrik@vms2.macc.wisc.edu To: mooreprods@aol.com Cc: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: Information on subscription farming I would agree with the recent response cautioning against a rigid distinction between subscription farming and community supported agriculture (CSA). Having been involved in the CSA movement for the past few years, I see a continumm of farms that range from a very utilitarian, market-based subsription approach to a very community-oriented, risk-sharing approach. In between are all sorts of options and configurations that make sharp distinctions difficult. I am involved in the Madison-Area CSA Coalition (MACSAC), a group of CSA farms in southern Wisconsin that exists to promote cooperation among farms as well as collective outreach ("marketing" and education) to consumers. There are 17 farms involved in MACSAC and, while they all call themselves community supported farms, there is great diversity among them in terms of philospohy, goals, and organizational structure, etc. In regard to numbers, the Bio-Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association keeps a database of "CSA" farms accross the country. At last count there were 435 farms in the database but I think this number is substantially lower than what actually exists. Call the Bio-Dynamic Association at 1-800-516-7797. Here in the midwest, where CSA/subscription farming has been growing in leaps and bounds, the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute recently published a Regional Directory of CSA farms. There are 60 farms listed. Contact Michael Fields at (414) 642-3303. Address: W2493 County Road ES, East Troy, Wisconsin, 53120. And, to add to the conference announcements: The second annual Upper Midwest CSA Conference will be held December 1-3, in Madison, Wisconsin. Watch for a more detailed announcement coming soon! -John John Hendrickson Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems University of Wisconsin-Madison 1450 Linden Drive, Room 146 Madison, WI 53706 jhendrik@macc.wisc.edu From ciaschin@umich.edu Fri Feb 24 22:33:20 EST 1995 Article: 3327 of sci.agriculture Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!portal.gmu.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.mathworks.com!newshost.marcam.com!zip.eecs.umich.edu!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!news.itd.umich.edu!seawolf.rs.itd.umich.edu!ciaschin From: ciaschin@umich.edu (Matthew Ciaschini) Newsgroups: sci.agriculture Subject: CSA information Date: 24 Feb 1995 17:40:55 GMT Organization: University of Michigan Lines: 12 Message-ID: <3il5n7$4tu@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: seawolf.rs.itd.umich.edu X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] [ Article crossposted from alt.sustainable.agriculture ] [ Author was Matthew Ciaschini ] [ Posted on 24 Feb 1995 17:39:35 GMT ] I'm trying to collect a database of CSA information, i.e. a list of farms through out the country, organizations helpful to a CSA, information resources (both electronic and 'standard') and anything else appropriate. I'd be much obliged to hear what everyone knows. thanks in advanced, matt From paninfopubs@igc.apc.orgSat Jan 13 18:50:34 1996 Date: Fri, 12 Jan 1996 17:39:45 -0800 (PST) From: PANNA InfoPubs To: Recipients of conference Subject: PANUPS: CSA Conference Draws 350+ ===================================== P A N U P S *** Pesticide Action Network North America Updates Service * http://www.panna.org/panna/ * ===================================== January 12, 1996 Farmer-Consumer Links Promoted at Community Supported Agriculture Conference In late 1995, more than 350 people gathered in San Francisco, California for a conference on the social, economic and environmental benefits of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), a relatively new model of food production and distribution with roots in European and Japanese movements of the 1960s (see PANUPS January 3, 1995 for information about the "tekei" system in Japan, which is similar to CSA). In CSA farms, producers sell "shares" directly to consumers, who then receive regular (usually weekly) harvest portions throughout the growing season. According to land trust and CSA expert Chuck Matthei, one of the conference's featured speakers, there are between 30,000 and 50,000 CSA members in the U.S. The conference, which attracted growers, wholesalers and retailers, as well as representatives from consumer, environmental and community groups, offered workshops on a range of practical aspects of running CSAs, including legal matters and liability questions, budgets, marketing, land tenure and succession planting, but also included discussions on CSAs' relationship to community, food security and sustainable agriculture. Discussions on food security focused on CSAs' role in creating viable farms integrated into local economies and communities. Several speakers described opportunities for networking among farmers' markets, soup kitchens and community groups to provide fresh, nutritious food to low- income people through CSAs. Gail Feenstra, a CSA shareholder and nutritionist at the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP), described how community groups and farmers' markets in Los Angeles have used the CSA model to distribute extra food to low-income people throughout the area. Feenstra also emphasized that because of their local and community orientation, CSAs are well suited to work with marginalized populations who may otherwise lack access to fresh produce and information about nutrition. Participants discussed utilizing the close links among CSA members, farmers and communities to educate members and others about the environmental and health benefits of eating organic food in season. CSAs were also described as an excellent means for farmers to achieve income security independent of variable markets and weather. According to Dru Rivers of Full Belly Farm in California, the predictable income from CSA memberships allows farmers to concentrate more on growing quality produce and less on finding markets. Steve Moore of Moore Ranch in California explained that since developing a CSA, his farm's income had become so reliable that he can now offer year- round work to his employees, whereas before work had been seasonal and irregular. Many participants expressed that CSAs play an important role in strengthening community cohesiveness and cooperation -- a significant attraction for many people. For example, Karen Salkind, a CSA shareholder with the Live Power Farm CSA in Covelo, California, emphasized that sense of community was a crucial factor in her decision to belong to Live Power, a farm whose farmers were able to purchase their land due to the work and contributions of its CSA members. Elizabeth Henderson, a farmer at Rose Valley Farm in New York, pointed to a strong sense of community in the decision of Rose Valley CSA members to subsidize shares for low-income people with fees paid by full-paying shareholders. The conference was co-sponsored by a consortium of farmers, farmer groups, donors, educators and research centers, including CSA West, a recently formed resource and advocacy organization aimed at promoting CSAs. CSA West, a program of the California-based Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), assists farmers in developing CSA programs, offers workshops and presentations about CSAs and monitors CSA developments in the western U.S. Source: PANNA (see below). Contacts: CSA West, University of California, CASFS, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064; phone (408) 459-3964; fax (408) 459-2799; email farmcsa@aol.com; PANNA (see below). =========================================================== | Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) | | | | Phone:(415) 541-9140 Fax:(415) 541-9253 | | Email: panna@panna.org http://www.panna.org/panna/| | PANNA, 116 New Montgomery, #810, San Francisco, CA 94105 | | | |*To subscribe to PANUPS send email to MAJORDOMO@igc.apc.org| | with the following text on one line: subscribe panups | | To unsubscribe send the following: unsubscribe panups | | | |*For basic information about PANNA, send an email message | | to panna-info@igc.apc.org | =========================================================== From c_dbowen@qualcomm.comMon Apr 10 15:17:06 1995 Date: Mon, 10 Apr 1995 11:55:40 -0700 From: Don Bowen Reply to: homestead@world.std.com To: homestead@world.std.com Subject: More from Wendell Berry This is something else I pulled from Practicval Farmers of Iowa. Every time I try to express how I see things, I find that Mr. Berry has been there before and has done a much better job than I ever could. CONSERVING COMMUNITIES Wendell Berry (Editors note: The following is from a talk entitled Conserving Communities, given by Wendell Berry at the 1994 campout at Seed Savers Exchange, in Decorah. We reprint it here with their kind permission. The entire address appears in the Seed Savers 1994 Harvest Edition.) . . . the old opposition of country and city, which was never useful, is now more useless than ever. It is, in fact, damaging to everybody involved, as is the opposition of producers and consumers. These are not differences but divisions divisions that ought not to exist because they are to a considerable extent artificial, trumped up for the sake of illegitimate advantages. The so-called urban economy has been just as hard on urban communities as it has been on rural ones. These conventional affiliations are now meaningless, useful only to those in a position to profit from public bewilderment. A new political scheme of opposed parties, however, is beginning to take form. This is essentially a two-party system, and it divides over the fundamental issue of community. One of these parties holds that community has no value, the other holds that it does. One is the party of the global economy; the other I would call simply the party of local community. The global party is large, though not populous, immensely powerful and wealthy, self-aware, purposeful and tightly organized. The community party is only now becoming aware of itself, it is widely scattered, highly diverse, small though potentially numerous, weak though latently powerful, and poor though by no means without resources. We know pretty well the makeup of the party of the global economy, but who are the members of the party of local community? They are people who take a generous and neighborly view of self-preservation; they do not believe that they can survive and flourish by the rule of dog-eat-dog; they do not believe that they can succeed by defeating or destroying or using up everything but themselves. They want to preserve the precious things of nature and of human culture, and pass them on to their children. They want the world s fields and forests to be productive; they do not want them to be destroyed for the sake of production. They know you cannot be a democrat (small d) or a conservationist and at the same time a proponent of the supranational corporate economy. They believe they know from their experience that the neighborhood, the local community, is the proper place and reference of responsible life and work. They see that no commonwealth or community of interest can be defined by greed. They know that things connect that farming, for example, is connected to nature, and food to farming, and heath to food and they want to preserve the connections. They know that a healthy local community cannot be replaced by a market or an entertainment industry or an information highway. They know that, contrary to all the unmeaning and unmeant political talk about job creation, work ought not to be merely a bone thrown to the otherwise unemployed. They know that work ought to be necessary it ought to be good, it ought to be satisfying and dignifying to the people who do it, and genuinely useful and pleasing to the people for whom it is done. The party of local community, then, is a real party with a real platform and an agenda of real and doable work. And it has, we might add, a respectable history in the hundreds of efforts, over several decades, to preserve local nature or local health or to sell local products to local consumers. Now such efforts appear to be coming into their own, attracting interest and energy in a way they have not done before. People are seeing more clearly all the time the connections between conservation and economics. They are seeing that a community s health is largely determined by the way it makes its living. The natural membership of the community party consists of small farmers, ranchers and market gardeners, worried consumers, owners and employees of small shops, stores and other small businesses, community banks, self-employed people, religious people and conservationists. The aims of this party really are only two: the preservation of ecological diversity and integrity, and the renewal, on sound cultural and ecological principles, of local economies and local communities. And now we must ask how a sustainable local community (which is to say a sustainable local economy) might function. I am going to suggest a set of rules that I think such a community would have to follow. And I hasten to say that I do not understand these rules as predictions; I am not interested in foretelling the future. If these rules have any validity, that is because they apply now. Supposing that the members of a local community wanted their community to cohere, to flourish, and to last, they would: (1) Always ask of any proposed change or innovation: What, will this do to our community? How will this affect our common wealth? (2) Always include local nature the land, the water, the air, the native creatures within the membership of the community. (3) Always ask how local needs might be supplied from local sources, including the mutual help of neighbors. (4) Always supply local needs FIRST, and only then think of exporting products. (5) The community must understand the ultimate unsoundness of the industrial doctrine of labor saving if that implies poor work, unemployment, or any kind of pollution or contamination. (6) If it is not to be merely a colony of the national or the global economy, the community must develop properly scaled value-adding industries for local products. (7) It must also develop small-scale industries and businesses to support the local farm and/or forest economy. (8) It must strive to produce as much of its own energy as possible. (9) It must strive to increase earnings (in whatever form) within the community, and decrease expenditures outside the community. (10) Money paid into the local economy should circulate within the community for as long as possible before it is paid out. (11) If it is to last, a community must be able to afford to invest in itself it must maintain its properties, keep itself clean (without dirtying some other place), care for its old people, teach its children. (12) The old and the young must take care of one another. The young must learn from the old, not necessarily and not always in school. There must be no institutionalized child care and homes for the aged. The community knows and remembers itself by the assciation of old and young. (13) Costs now conventionally hidden or externalized must be accounted for. Whenever possible they must be debited against monetary income. (14) Community members must look into the possible uses of local currency, community-funded loan programs, systems of barter, and the like. (15) They should always be aware of the economic value of neighborliness as help, insurance, and so on. They must realize that in our time the costs of living are greatly increased by the loss of neighborhood, leaving people to face their calamities alone. (16) A rural community should always be acquainted with, and complexly connected with, community-minded people in nearby towns and cities. (17) A sustainable rural economy will be dependent on urban consumers loyal to local products. Therefore, we are talking about an economy that will always be more coop- erative than competitive. These rules are derived from western political and religious traditions, from the promptings of ecologists and certain agriculturists, and from common sense. They may seem radical, but only because the modern, national and global economies have been formed in almost perfect disregard of community and ecological interests. A community economy is not an economy in which well-placed persons can make a killing. It is not a killer economy. It is an economy whose aim is generosity and a well distributed and safeguarded abundance. If it seems unusual for modern people to hope and work for such an economy, then we must remind ourselves that a willingness to put the good of the community ahead of profit is hardly unprecedented among community business people and local banks. | Donald E. Bowen donb@cts.com Valley Center CA. c_dbowen@qualcomm.com Software Engineer, woodworker, historian, beekeeper, farmboy model railroader, 1936 Farmall 12, 1966 Corvair CORSA 140 convertible 1 wife, 3 kids, 2 acres, 2 cats, 2 dogs, ? projects, no TV, 24 hours From 72530.1353@compuserve.comThu Oct 19 22:15:47 1995 Date: 19 Oct 95 11:00:56 EDT From: Kirby Fry <72530.1353@compuserve.com> To: BlindCopyReceiver: ; Subject: Permaculture Design Course *** *** PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE WITH BILL MOLLISON *** *** Dear Friends, We would like to let you know that the Cross Timbers Permaculture Institute is hosting a design course, April 13 thru April 26, 1996, in North Central Texas with Bill Mollison and Scott Pittman. Please cross post this message where ever you feel folks would be interested. BILL MOLLISON, an author and founder of the permaculture movement, has given hundreds of lectures and design courses to over 10,000 people worldwide. He was the recipient of the 1981 Right Livelihood award in Stockholm, is an honorary member of the Schumaker Society of the U.K., led a four part 1991 ABC series called the Global Gardener, and was named the Outstanding Australian Achiever in 1993. SCOTT PITTMAN, is the founder of the Permaculture Drylands Institute and owner of Environmental Design Concepts in Santa Fe, NM. He has traveled and taught extensively with Mollison. ABOUT THE COURSE For the third year in a row Bill and Scott will be sharing their wisdom and inspiration with us here in north central Texas. The course will help you make the transition towards a sustainable society and take responsibility for your own lives by meeting your basic needs for food, shelter, energy, gainful employment, and community. You will learn about permaculture design principles and how they may be applied to your homes and work places whether they be rural or urban. FEE & ENROLLMENT $795 includes tuition, designer's certification, and natural whole foods meals. Please send a deposit (non-refundable) of $250 by March 21st, 1996 to reserve your space. Balance is due at registration. Tuition is $750 if received in whole before March 21st. Credit card users may register by phone. Shuttle service is available upon request from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport for $50 to $100 round trip depending on the number of people sharing the shuttle van. ACCOMMODATIONS Tent sites are $70 per person for the entire course. There are showers and bathrooms nearby. Bunk houses are $160 per person for the entire course. Bring bedding and a towel. CONTACT Kirby Fry or Inger Myhre at, Phone: 817-897-9402, Fax: 817-897- 3785 or E-mail: 72530.1353@compuserve.com KIRBY [@ Cross Timbers Permaculture Inst. 817-897-9402] From aviers@vt.edu Wed Mar 8 23:14:07 EST 1995 Article: 183 of alt.landscape.architecture Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!insosf1.infonet.net!solaris.cc.vt.edu!NewsWatcher!user From: aviers@vt.edu (Anthony Viers) Newsgroups: alt.landscape.architecture Subject: Design With Water Mar 20-23 Date: 6 Mar 1995 12:30:56 GMT Organization: Virginia Tech Landscape Architecture Lines: 107 Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: 128.173.234.99 DESIGN WITH WATER A THREE DAY SYMPOSIUM ON DESIGN, PLANNING, AND RESTORATION OF THE LAND WATER INTERFACE SCHEDULE: EVENT Monday , March 20 GENERAL INFORMATION This symposium is taking place on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and is cosponsored by the Omega chapter of Signa Lambda Alpha and the American Society of Landscape Architects at Virginia Tech. Events are intended to provide educational opportunities for students and professionals in êfields focusing on environmental design, planning, engineering, restoration, and management. Topics êpresently scheduled include some of the latest research and practice in planning and designing systems for: Reducing Impacts on Aquatic Environments; Riparian Restoration and Water Quality Enhancement; Wetland Development and Reclamation; Alternative Stormwater Management and Infiltration Techniques; Vegetated Wastewater Treatment; and Best Management Practices, Design, Installation, Management and Assessment. Key Speakers: Elizabeth A. Brabec is president and founder of Land Ethics, Inc., is a registered landscape architect, attorney, and land use planner. Her background gives her a balanced êunderstanding of the ecological, social and legal implications of land planning and design. Her specific expertise lies in the areas of land conservation, historic preservation and resource conservation. Elizabeth has been nationally recognized for her efforts in land conservation, notably coauthorship of the book Dealing with Change in the Connecticut River Valley and her upcoming book on the economic implications of resource conservation. Scott Crafton is Chief of the Division of Environmental Engineering at the Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department. He has been essential in establishing Virginia's Erosion êand Sediment Control Regulations and has significant background in site and community design guidelines for stormwater management with the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. As a licensed landscape architect working for a public agency in the state of Virginia, Scott has initiated many opportunities to emphasizes planning, design, and management that are both economically feasible and ecologically sustainable. Bruce K. Ferguson has specialized in hydrology and environmental management for thirteen years. He has served as a consultant and expert witness for industry, design firms, and all levels of governments on solutions to difficult problems of runoff and sediment control, êstream rehabilitation, water conservation, wetland enhancement, water shed planning, êand landscape design in conjunction with hydrologic objectives. Bruce is a licensed êlandscape architect in Georgia and Pennsylvania. He has written more than 100 publications reflecting his research and experience in water resources an urban development. He is currently Professor of Landscape Architecture and Director of the Master of Landscape Architecture Program at the University of Georgia. Peter Kumble is a principal of Land Ethics, Inc. working on ecological and historic design and restoration. Peter has worked and published extensively with the restoration of the Anacostia River and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments as an expert on the "watershed approach" for urban stream restoration. Peter's extensive research êand practice focuses on innovative techniques used to reduce nonpoint source pollution, protecting urban streams, and involving the public in the aquatic cleanup and restoration process. He is also a licensed landscape architect in the state of Virginia. Thomas R. Schueler is Executive Director of the Center for Watershed Protection. He has written numerous publications under the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments reflecting his research and expertise in Current Assessment of Urban Best êManagement Practices, Riparian and Watershed Restoration, and Stormwater Wetland design. His research and writing efforts have provided much of the currently available information used by professionals in Watershed Protection, Outreach, and Education. Tom is in great demand around the country as a lecturer, workshop leader, and expert consultant in urban water protection issues. GETTING TO CAMPUS The campus is located in Blacksburg, about thirtyeight miles southwest of Roanoke, VA. To reach the campus from Interstate 81, take Exit 118 (Christiansburg) onto US Route 460 West. Remain on 460 West to Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. Take the Virginia Tech Exit (314 East) off of US 460. A Large campus map with directions to the CEC and Architecture Annex is located at this Tech entrance. Woodrum Field in Roanoke, VA. is served by several airlines. Blacksburg Limousine Service Telephone (703) 951-3973 provides transportation between the airport and campus. FURTHER INFORMATION For more program or registration information, please call Stuart Echols, (703) 231-6863. or e-mai aviers@vt.edu From solync@cei.netFri Apr 19 00:05:07 1996 Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 13:58:57 -0500 From: carol cross To: SANET-MG@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: New EcoAgroForestry Mailing List =============================================== ECOAGROFORESTRY LIST EAF-L NOW OPEN FOR SUBSCRIBERS =============================================== This EcoAgroForestry mailing list is based on the interest shown by many respondents to the kenaf seminar and to the debate on rural and urban development. This list has been established to provide a forum for the business, industrial, agricultural, forestry, rural development, investment, sustainable development, environmental and rural communities everywhere in the world internet community to discuss topics in creating a livable, productive and enduring EarthHome through EcoAgroForestry. Dr. Carol Cross is pleased to be your hostess and hopes that this forum will be a means to transfer technology, provide a medium for the development and standardization of EcoAgroForestry rural agroindustrial systems, and to advance the science and engineering of Rural AgroIndustrial Centers (RAICs) for sustainable production. We especially want to involve farmers all over the world to get involved in sharing information with each other. It is vital that farmers and livestock producers become involved in the development of RAICs so they stop being the victims of the world commodity markets and become processers and owners of value added production systems. We expect the forum will be a springboard for the pursuit of innovative approaches to rural development. Because the success of the group will be a function of the involvement of its members. Dr. Cross invites anyone with an interest and/or expertise in any of the above EcoAgroForestry areas to join the list. Due to the complexities of creating sustainable rural agroindustrial development, we welcome input from environmentalists, engineers, businesspersons, investors, suppliers, development groups, and others with similar interests. Anyone who wishes to contribute to this very vital, important and fascinating topic are invited to participate. Dr. Cross recognizes that EcoAgroForestry is not the only system for creating a sustainable world. However, we feel it is an idea which can add tremendously to the well being of all LifeKind, EarthHumans and ultimately, the EarthHome, its limitations notwithstanding. Users can subscribe to the list by sending an email to eaf-l-request@eaf.com leaving the subject blank, and entering the line below in the body of the message: subscribe EAF-L The welcome message will provide more details about the list... JOIN US ON EAF-L The basic underpinnings of the list is EcoAgroForestry which is a new term coined by Dr. Cross. EcoAgroForestry - the development of sustainable, productive, long term, human-based life maintenance systems. It involves the use of ecologically sound methods of producing crop plants, animals and trees in a production system that uses sustainable, appropriate inputs and methods. It includes composting, biomass energy, solar energy, recycling, polyculture, wind energy, biological pest control, organic farming and gardening methods, aquaculture, water and soil conservation technologies and other appropriate technologies that avoid the use of pesticides, insecticides, and inappropriate technologies. EcoAgroForestry also includes the industrial development of rural areas so that people will not have to leave to find work and "a better way of life" in urban areas? I propose that we need models for profitable rural development that could create "a better way of life" in the rural areas of the world. These projects for development should stand on their own, be sustainable, and must be business-focused projects. As Danny Wong from Singapore said, This is "indeed a revolution in the agricultural industries". EcoAgroForestry will be focused on sustainable agriculture, sustainable forestry and rural agroindustrial development. Rural agroindustrial activities will be developed at two levels. Level One will be EcoAgroForestry Village Business Incubators (VBIs). VBIs will be low tech, with buildings developed from bamboo and indigenous materials, using appropriate technologies. Level Two will be Rural AgroIndustrial Centers (RAICs) which can include one or more production level modules. In both these centers, production will be based on combining kenaf with AgroResidues such as rice straw, wheat straw, sugar cane bagasse and/ or forest wastes but they can also involve other crops. Some suggested modules include but are not limited to: a kenaf plantation; low tech livestock feed; a kenaf separation plant (core from stem fiber); fuel briquettes; ecologically sound field and tree crop production of foodstuffs (such as sweet sorghum and Leucaena nitrogen-fixing trees); ecologically sound food processing ; nonwood paper; building materials; reforestation center; reclamation center; sustainable logging and certified forest products; production of organic fertilizers and soil amendments; the SAMEI(TM) Strategy for natural cosmetics/ perfume industry development; canewood products from bamboo, rattan, florals and handicrafts; aquaculture projects; bagged silage system; feed pelletizing plant; kenaf remediation products; kenaf fabrics; essential oils; industrial plant derived oils; and Integrated Farming systems. The EAF-L list has two agendas. Agenda One - Establishing Rural AgroIndustrial Centers (RAICs) based on EcoAgroForestry by forming consortiums of local people and internationals. By combining local resources, international technical expertises, suppliers and investments in the development of the RAICs, I am proposing a new paradigm of economic development. My goal is to have several hundred of these RAICs around the world in which I will own 10%, more or less, depending on the situation. The purpose of developing this business is to develop sufficient income for my real agenda. I intend to use my own funds to start Agenda Two. However, anyone wanting to become a part of Agenda Two is welcome to share themselves in a variety of ways. Agenda Two - Establishing a permanent culture to bring the street children (15,000,000 in Latin America alone) into a potentiating, caring and compassionate, entrepreneurial culture. Clearly most of this will not be accomplished in my lifetime. But by creating each of these entities as a corporation, they can have a perpetual life and the work can continue after my death. Donations and volunteers alone will not be able to sustain the villages for the massive number of villages needed for the 15,000,000 children in Latin America, which is not addressing the 150,000,000 worldwide. The children must become an asset to the village, not a liability. They will do this by training to be provided to them and their developing into entrepreneurs to create the income necessary for their upkeep. The children will also give part of their time as members of the Green Force, replanting local areas as part of their repayment for being brought off the streets. There are no free lunches (I have never received one and neither will they) and these children will not be given charity. Charity destroys self esteem and people's innerness as exemplified by the destruction of the welfare populations in the USA. These children will learn to work, to develop their own small businesses and to give of themselves to the EarthHome and the local communities adjacent to the villages they are in. Most important, of course, is that they will belong to a community and be enabled to contribute to that community. Additionally, each child is expected to bring another child off the streets and be responsible for their development. If you are involved in rural development, are an equipment supplier, an investor, an entrepreneur, a landowner or just care about sustainable development, I would like to invite you to participate in a lively discussion of how ecologically sound entrepreneurship can meet the need for sustainable development. Business is the contributor to governments. The taxes come from businesses and indivudals, but the individuals get their money in wages from corporations (or government via corporations). Corporations also give to foundations who support nonprofit groups as do individuals (via their income source, ultimately businesses). There is only one source of resources on this planet and it is the difference between what it costs to produce a product and what the product can be sold for. This differential is thus the only source of the resources needed to regreen the EarthHome, create sustainable communities and enable LifeKind (us) to continue to live on the EarthHome. We can work together. Business does not have to be destructive, as many green businesses already are witness to. EcoAgroForestry is designed to be a win-win scenario for all. As I tell people, there is no (Noah's) Ark today. Some of my environmentalist friends act like when the Global Warming kicks in, they will be saved because they recycled or they used soyink or whatever. There are no boats coming to pick up the worthy and allow the unworthy to die. We will all die or live together on this planet. Why not work together and maybe we can all live. That is why we must all work together. I look forward to your contributions. Dr. Carol Cross Carol Cross, PhD EcoAgroForestry Founder (501) 367-6127 (Ph) 2801 Olive, #35A, Suite 113 (501) 367-8736(FAX) Pine Bluff, AR 71611 Email: solync@cei.net Together we Can Create A Sustainable World Through EcoAgroForestry (Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Forestry and Rural AgroIndustrial Development). Form Consortiums & Develop a EcoAgroForestry Village Business Incubator (VBI) or Rural Agroindustrial Center (RAIC), NOW! Become an EcoAgroForestry Entrepreneur and Regreen the EarthHome! From Mark.Richardson@125-402.psybbs.durham.nc.us Mon Dec 19 20:48:04 EST 1994 Article: 3471 of alt.energy.renewable Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news.duke.edu!dukcds!wolves!psybbs!125-402!Mark.Richardson From: Mark.Richardson@125-402.psybbs.durham.nc.us (Mark Richardson) Date: 10 Dec 94 08:57:37 -0500 Newsgroups: alt.energy.renewable Subject: RE: E-Z HOME AQUACULTURE Message-ID: <58e_9412131001@psybbs.durham.nc.us> X-Mail-Agent: GIGO+ sn 175 at psybbs vsn 0.99 pl1 X-FTN-To: John Mccarthy Organization: [Fido] Home Power BBS - Renewables R Us (707) 826-8640 Lines: 3 You might look into the same setup as done by The New Alchemy Institute: "The Book of the New Alchemists" 1977, Dalton Press; and any more recent publications of theirs. From steved@ncatfyv.uark.eduSat Mar 23 12:16:16 1996 Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 10:03:19 -0600 (CST) From: Steve Diver To: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Effects of Compost - Response (fwd) Forwarded message: > To: sustag-public@amani.ces.ncsu.edu > Date: Thu, 14 Mar 1996 20:16:23 -0800 (PST) > From: Elisheva Kaufman > Subject: Effects of Compost - Response > > To: Patrick Maddens > World Sustainable Agriculture Association > > From Elisheva Kaufman > Project Coordinator; > Ecological Soil Management Collaborative > > > Patrick, > There is great interest in this area internationally as well. > As coordinator of the Ecological Soil Management Collaborative, > a proposed project involving US, Palestinian and Israeli > collaboration for sustainable agriculture, we will research disease > suppression through compost, and integrated soil fertility strategies > appropriate for dryland conditions with developing country constraints. > under the leadership of Dr. Will Brinton, of Woods End, and > Dr. Fred Magdoff of the University of Vermont (pending funding). > > Our goal is to restore degraded soils and promote sustainable ag > through ecological soil managment practices. Traditional, small > farmers need low-tech, effective methods to generate their own on-farm > compost high in disease suppressivecapacity and the soil biodiversity > that promotes natural bio-controls. Thus the costly, high intensity > management and heavy expensive machinery of the Lubke approach is not > helpful. The small American farmer operates with similar constraints. > > After much investigation, we found that Woods End could provide us > with exemplary compost quality evaluation and standards, a compost > management approach adapted to the economic limits and appropriate > technology-needs of a developing country, and muncipal and on-farm > implementation skills to train the local people for self-suficiency > and sustainability. > > We would be most interested in networking with other dryland region > researchers, and indigenous peoples, on composting methods for disease > suppression, and related soil life/biodiversity/fertility concerns. > > What other compost researchers are looking are the relationship between > compost managment intensity and disease suppression; in terms of > compost temperature, the nature of the microbial and fungal growth and > recipes. It would seem that the closer we recreate the natural humus > forming conditions of the forest floor, the low temperature and slow > activity over time, the greater the biodiversity potential. Any thoughts > on this? > > Good Wishes in Your Work, > > Elisheva Kaufman > > > PS: I have faxed this conversation to Prof. Said Assaf, the director of > the Palestinian National Agricultural Reseach Center, > since he is not yet on-line, and emailed it to Dr. Michael Raviv, of > the Israeli Ministry of Ag. Following is Dr. Ravivs response: > > Michael Raviv; > Thanks for the interesting discussion on compost effects. > Right now I'm cooperating with a plant pathologist from another > research center - in the Negev, on similar problems: they have severe problem > of Alternaria on potato. I prepared for her several composts with defined > properties and prepared extracts (what you call tea) from them. We > conducted a through chemical analysis (biological one will be done later on) > and now we can start linking between compost properties and effectiveness > against this disease. results of sterilized teas are good but not impressive, > suggesting a role also for microorganisms prevailing in the teas. Article 3033 of sci.bio.ecology: Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!paladin.american.edu!auvm!gishost.dfg.ca.gov!mch Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU Newsgroups: sci.bio.ecology Return-Path: <@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU:ECOLOG-L@UMDD.BITNET> Return-Path: X-: Mailer: Elm [revision: 70.85] Approved-By: di5 Message-ID: <9402280640.AA19045@nic.teale.ca.gov> Date: Mon, 28 Feb 1994 09:11:00 EST Sender: "Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news" From: Marc Hoshovsky Subject: Ecosystem Management Lines: 55 I guess since I started this discussion, I might as well chip in a few words now and then. Ed Grumbine (unpubl) suggests that ecosystem management has the following nature: 1. Hierarchial Context. Managers must seek the connections between all levels of the biodiversity hierarchy (genes, species, populations, ecosystems, landscapes). 2. Ecological Boundaries. EM requires working across administrative or political boundaries and defining ecological boundaries at appropriate scales. 3. Ecological Integrity. EM should protect the total native diversity (species to landscapes) and the ecological patterns and processes that maintain that diversity. 4. Data Collection. EM requires more research and data collection (habitat inventory, classification, disturbance regime dynamics, baseline assessments) as well as better management and use of existing data. ** Any one care to point out what are the greatest research or data collection needs for doing EM? I'm sure this will generate some interest among subscribers *** 5. Monitoring. Managers must track the results of their actions so that success or failure may be evaluated quantitatively. Monitoring creates an ongoing feedback loop of useful information. 6. Adaptive Management. Adaptive management assumes that scientific knowledge is provisional and focuses on management as a learning process or continuing experiment wher incorporationg the results of previous actions allows managers to remain flexible and adapt to uncertainty. 7. Interagency Cooperation. Managers of federal, state, and local agencies must learn to work together and integrate conflicting legal mandates and management goals. 8. Organizational Change. Implementing EM requires changes in the structured of land management agencies and the way they operate. 9. Humans imbedded in nature. People cannot be separated from nature. They are fundamental influences on ecological patterns and processes and are in turn affected by them. 10. Values. Human values play a dominant role in EM goals. I was very impressed by reading this early draft of Grumbine's paper If we do all of this, are we "doing" ecosystem management? -- Marc Hoshovsky PHONE: (916) 322-2446 Biodiversity Conservation Planner FAX: (916) 324-0475 Dept. of Fish & Game E-MAIL: mch@gishost.dfg.ca.gov 1220 S Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 From steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu Sun Jan 15 21:42:10 EST 1995 Article: 5056 of alt.sustainable.agriculture Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!oit-mail2news-gateway From: steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu (Steve Diver) Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture Subject: Synergistic Agriculture workshop in Arkansas Date: 13 Jan 1995 20:09:41 -0000 Organization: sustag-public mailing list Lines: 40 Sender: daemon@bigblue.oit.unc.edu Distribution: world Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: bigblue.oit.unc.edu Content-Type: text FYI, here's an announcement from a non-profit in my region: "Synergistic Agriculture: A New Way to Garden" Emilia Hazelip, lecturer and permaculture consultant for the gardens of Les Courmettes in France, will be offering a course on Synergistic Agriculture at Meadowcreek environmental education center on Feb. 4-5, 1995, as part of her U.S. teaching tour. Ms. Hazelip has studied extensively the agriculture systems of the Mayas of Mexico, the Berbers of North Africa, and the "natural farming" methods of renowned Japanese farmer and author Masanobu Fukuoka. A farmer who has rejected the plow, Ms. Hazelip has spent the last 15 years developing a system of soil self-fertility by using a broad diversity of plant materials (vegetables, cereals, and fruits) without the use of legumes on permanently mulched non-tilled ground. Ms. Hazelip's 15 hour class at Meadowcreek will include such topics as the principles of synergistic agriculture, soil self-fertility, erosion control and soil improvement strategies, methods for crop production in an uncultivated soil, permaculture basics, composting made easy, and the integration and care of bees, poultry, and other species into a growing system. The ideas presented are applicable for both home gardeners and commercial growers. The class fee is $145 and includes lodging and meals. Contact Megan Hughes or Kellie French at Meadowcreek for more details and a registration packet at 501-363-4500. Meadowcreek is a non-profit organization located in Stone County, Arkansas, offering classes and workshops in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. From london@calypso-2.oit.unc.eduThu Feb 23 20:00:49 1995 Date: Wed, 22 Feb 1995 21:47:15 -0500 (EST) From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." To: Rachel Freifelder Subject: Re: educational visit On Wed, 22 Feb 1995, Rachel Freifelder wrote: > Hello, I am a grad student at UC Davis, studying sustainable agriculture > and systems design. Does anyone know of any permaculture/biodynamic > farms or similar integrated operations that welcome short-term visitors > interested in seeing how they work, or, even better, that are interested > in someone undertaking some kind of agronomic study of their farm? I am > trying to develop ways to audit for "sustainability", including soils, > water quality, energetics, nutrient cycling, interaction with natural > systems; I'm hoping that these audits would be useful to people striving > for sustainability. > > I'm especially interested in communities, and obviously would be most > able to visit places within California or southern Oregon. > Any leads would be appreciated. The La Tierra community in California might interest you. Here's all the information I have on it plus some other feedback for you. Lawrence ________________________________________________ Lawrence F. London, Jr. - london@sunSITE.unc.edu ------------------------------------------------ La Tierra information: ---------------------- From: cyronwode@aol.com (Cyronwode) Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture Subject: Permaculture Design Course - CA Date: 2 Nov 1994 21:43:03 -0500 From November 5th through November 19th, La Tierra Community in Sebastopol, California (an hour north of San Francisco) will be hosting a two week Permaculture Design Course with Scott Pittman, founder and director of the Permaculture Drylands Institute. The cost is $750 and includes all meals, and camping or tent dormitory. Call (707) 829-8348 or Permaculture Course c/o Vital Technologies, P. O. Box 279, Sebastopol, CA 95473. I am not associated with La Tierra, but i attended a two-day Permaculture workshop there with Bill Moillison and Scott Pittman and it was GREAT. I assume all readers of this ng are familair with Permaculture, so i will not bother to describe it. La Tierra is a group of 4 families located on 15 acres of old apple orchards, worn out pasture and sedge wetlands, with a year-round creek (unusual in California). I assume that some of what will be done there will be hands-on work setting up swales and ponds, as these were laid out by Mollison when he gave the two-day workshop. The two-week course grants one certification as a Permaculture Design Trainee and entitles one to use the term Permaculture in pursuit of a livelihood and for educational purposes. Course Topics Include: Permaculture philosophy and ethics Principles of natural systems Permaculture principles and design methodology Reading the landscape/site analyisis Soil building/erosion control Water in the landscape Village design Building design/shelters Energy conservation Gardening techniques catherine - From vitaltec@nbn.comWed Feb 22 20:50:41 1995 Date: Tue, 21 Feb 1995 23:20:52 -0800 From: vitaltec@nbn.com To: london@sunSITE.unc.edu Subject: AIR Mosaic Feedback Mail Mail sent from AIR Mosaic (16-bit) version 3.07.04.02 Hello, my name is Sunny, I am the director of a non-profit called La Tierra. We would like to post an announcement of a Permaculture Certification Course that will be taught by Permaculture founder, Bill Mollison and his associate Scott Pittman. The course is being held May 20-June 3, 1995 in northern CA. This will be Bills only teaching engagement in the western U.S. this year. For more information contact Sunny, e-mail to: vitaltec@nbn.com or Call (707) 829-8191. Any help you can give us in posting this event will be greatly appreciated. - From Cyronwode@aol.comWed Feb 22 21:00:40 1995 Date: Wed, 22 Feb 1995 19:46:13 -0500 From: Cyronwode@aol.com To: permaculture-mg@twosocks.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: educational visit Rachel Friefelder asked about permie places in california and orgeon. Try: Island Mountain Institute, Garberville, California (707) 923-4301 Penny Livingston, Point Reyes, California (415) 663-9139 Sandy Bar Ranch, Orleans, California (916) 627-3379 Permaculture events, courses, and gatherings are held at these places regularly. catherine yronwode - From london@calypso-2.oit.unc.eduThu Feb 23 20:01:09 1995 Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 11:13:16 -0500 (EST) From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." To: rrfreifelder@ucdavis.edu Subject: Re: educational visit (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 08:34:43 -0500 (EST) From: Irwin Weintraub To: london@calypso-2.oit.unc.edu Cc: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: educational visit (fwd) >---------- Forwarded message ---------- >Date: Wed, 22 Feb 1995 14:58:49 -0800 (PST) >From: Rachel Freifelder >To: permaculture-mg >Subject: educational visit - - Contact: Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Inc. W2493 County Road ES East Troy, Wisconsin 53120. Phone:414-642-3303 Fax:414-642-4028 Michael Fields in a public non-profit education and research organizations promoting sustainable practices in organic and biodynamic farming and encouraging conventional farmers to switch to biodynamic methods. They have publications, short courses and field days. They also advertise for apprenticeship positions for students and others who would like to work on biodynamic farms. Give the a call they can probably assist you. Irwin Weintraub Agriculture Resource Librarian Rutgers University Piscataway, NJ weintraub@zodiac.rutgers.edu From london@calypso-2.oit.unc.eduThu Feb 23 20:01:55 1995 Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 11:35:16 -0500 (EST) From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." To: Rachel Freifelder Subject: Re: educational visit From wderyckx@igc.apc.orgThu Feb 23 11:29:52 1995 Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 08:10:20 -0800 From: Woody Deryckx To: london@calypso-2.oit.unc.edu Subject: Re: educational visit (fwd) Rachel, I wonder what kind of agronomic studies you have in mind. I know many organic farms in Oregon and Washington and could recommend some to you if you could elaborate on your interest areas. Several of the farms I work with as a field rep for a processing company are involved in on-farm research projects. I'll try send you some pages from the Tilth directory which would put you in touch with organic farms in Oregon. We are putting a lot of attention on green-manuring (cover crops), com- posting and compost use, cultural/biological control of diseases and potential pest insects, and always better weed control including better cultivation techniques and equipment, smothering with allelopathic (we may hope) cover crops, and the judicious use of propane flames. Woody Deryckx, Cascadian Farm (360) 855-2717 or wderyckx@igc.apc.org Woody ________________________________________________ Lawrence F. London, Jr. - london@sunSITE.unc.edu ------------------------------------------------ From london@calypso-2.oit.unc.eduThu Feb 23 20:02:12 1995 Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 19:42:01 -0500 (EST) From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." To: Rachel Freifelder Subject: Re: educational visit From DEITZMAN@carleton.eduThu Feb 23 19:40:15 1995 Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 11:04:01 -0600 (CST) From: DEITZMAN@carleton.edu To: london@calypso-2.oit.unc.edu Subject: Re: educational visit (fwd) Rachel - I am a member of the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Association of Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. We have several farms in our area that would probably would fit your requirements for study, many of them biodynamic farms. We are a long way from the west coast, so perhaps they wouldn't work. I'd be glad to give you some names of farms if you are interested. David Hougen-Eitzman Big Woods Farm and Biology Deparment Carleton College Northfield, MN 55053 (507)-663-4378 ________________________________________________ Lawrence F. London, Jr. - london@sunSITE.unc.edu ------------------------------------------------ From london@calypso-2.oit.unc.eduThu Feb 23 20:02:32 1995 Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 19:59:45 -0500 (EST) From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." To: Rachel Freifelder Subject: Re: educational visit From jhaap@tilth.orgThu Feb 23 19:53:58 1995 Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 09:57:01 +0000 From: "J. J. Haapala" To: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." Subject: Re: educational visit (fwd) Hi, I am aware of a permaculture grazier that has used the Yeomans method to capture water and fertility on his hillside ranch. This fellow is Marvin Hegge in Roseburg Oregon, and his operation is quite a sight. If you have interest beep me back. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- jhaap@tilth.org J. J. Haapala * Oregon Tilth Research & Development 30848 Maple Drive * Junction City, OR 97448 * +1 (503) 998-5801 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- From tforster@igc.apc.orgThu Feb 23 19:54:16 1995 Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 10:17:32 -0800 From: Thomas Forster To: london@calypso-2.oit.unc.edu Subject: Re: educational visit (fwd) Please forward: Rachel -- its not S. Oregon or California, but here on Orcas Island in Washington, there are several farms that may together be interested in a project -- of which Biodynamic, organic and permaculture are separate cultural practices on distinct farms. If you are interested, my email is tforster@igc.apc.org and phone is 206-360-76-3663. Address Post Office Box 128, Olaga WA 98279 Thomas Forster ________________________________________________ Lawrence F. London, Jr. - london@sunSITE.unc.edu ------------------------------------------------ From e-dewan@uiuc.eduWed Apr 5 11:40:42 1995 Date: Tue, 4 Apr 1995 16:23:42 -0600 (CST) From: Ed DeWan To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu, sustag@beta.tricity.wsu.edu, direct-mkt@reeusda.gov, tjakin@pssci.umass.edu Subject: Foodsheds and Food Circles >From: "Nancy Lee Bentley" via Ed DeWan's computer: Local Food Security: Foodsheds and Food Circles Submitted in four parts: The Foodshed and The Food Circle The Foodshed and The Food Circle, cont More local food security and food systems info and issues References and Resources The foodshed and the food circle are two concepts gaining recognition as models or conceptual frameworks for describing local food systems. The foodshed concept, most often attributed to Arthur Getz's in his 1991 Urban Foodsheds article in Permaculture Activist , uses the analogy of a watershed to describe 'the area that is defined by a structure of supply'. Getz used the image of a foodshe Today the Madison, Wisconsin area Foodshed Working Group along with an active coalition of food coops, csa associations, farmer's markets, producer coops, bakeries and other food processors, a natural food warehouse/ distributor, UWMadison and other active participants is the best example of a local food system identifying with the foodshed concept. The Food Circle is a dynamic, community-based and regionally-integrated food systems concept/model/vision. In effect, it is a systems ecology. In contrast to the current linear producton-consumption system, The Food Circle is a production-consumption-r The graphic model is a wheel of concentric circles, illustrating how an integrated food system flows from ag inputs and production through consumption and waste recycling. Starting with the individual at the center and moving outward through the family end 1 of 4 Nancy Lee Bentley The Food Circle PO Box 3083 Champaign, IL 61826-3083 (217) 586-3846 xx200@prairienet.org For an info packet on The Food Circle, including linear and food circle models and a reprint of EcoCity Journal's "An Introduction to The Food Circle, please send $7.95 to the address above. The Foodshed and The Food Circle, cont. part 2 of 4 The goal of The Food Circle is to consciously develop networks of sustainable, community- based and regionally-integrated food systems, capable of providing the basic food needs of their members, providing markets for local food and agricultural producers The beauty of The Food Circle lies in its addressing a host of associated issues, making it adaptable to a broad range of multidisciplinary interests as an organizing vehicle, a teaching model, a community economic development and planning model, even an This Food Circle is a blueprint which I have been refining and nurturing for a number of years, first publicly used by myself and other organizers of New York's first organic conference, Closing the Food Circle, held at Ithaca in 1984. Since then the c Several communities, including Kansas City/Columbia, Missouri and Champaign-Urbana, Illinois are developing local food circles. The Kansas City model incorporates a food policy council and membership in a statewide foodsystems task force, including a d The Champaign-Urbana Food Circle, sprouting shoots in this Silicon Prairie testbed community, is still an informal consortium of csa's, food coop, vegetarian restaurant, farmer's market, farmer's market nutrition coupon project, UIUC, organic/sustainab One key component of the local food circle operating model is communication. As Food Systems Development Coordinator with U of I , this past year I have been working with the Sustainable Agriculture Network and other groups to develop specialty/organic/ The work takes time, growing organically, for the people must develop conviction in the ecological basis for the model and then reorient their working or consuming relationships. Barriers abound, from the centralized, technocratic structure of agriculture to consumer obsession with speed and convenience. Likewise, as end 2 of 4 see message 1 for reprints Nancy Lee Bentley The Food Circle PO Box 3083 Champaign, IL 61826-3083 (217) 586-3846 xx200@prairienet.org More Local Food Security and Food Systems Development Info and Issues part 3 of 4 Other approaches to local food security and food systems development have been focused on formation of local/municipal food policy councils. Ken Dahlberg, at the Dept. of Political Science, Western Michigan University, has done extensive research, In their paper "Community Food Security: A Food Systems Approach to the 1995 Farm Bill", Andy Fisher and Bob Gottlieb of UCLA's School of Architecture and Urban Planning, brought out key issues to those activists attending the first Community Food Security Coalition's organizational meeting, August 25th, 1994: "... the concept of food security is often associated with the phenomenon of hunger. However, food security differs from hunger in certain crucial ways. First, food security represents a community need rather than an individual's plight, as with hunger. non-emergency (conventional) sources at all times.' Second, whereas hunger measures an existing condition of depravation, food security is decidedly prevention-oriented, evaluating the existence of resources -- both community and personal -- to provide A food security analysis extends .. into an examination of the food system. Questions of equity and sustainability are vital to the development of food security.... A food system offering security should have sustainability such that the ecological syste Within the organizing framework of these models, local food systems/ community food security can provide a vehicle for coalition-building among those interested in anti-hunger advocacy, sustainable agriculture, nutrition, urban agriculture, local food pol We are approaching a time of integration, where growing numbers of food, agriculture and other professionals are recognizing the need for an integrated local/regional f ood systems approach to really address, analyze and solve the current challenges i part 4 of 4 A partial listing of References and Resources on foodsheds, food circles, community food security and local food systems issues and information. References: An Introduction to The Food Circle: A Stewardship 'Technology' for the New Paradigm, by Nancy Lee Bentley, EcoCity Journal, Winter 1994. available from The Food Circle. Community Food Security: A Food Systems Approach to the 1995 Farm Bill, by Andy Fisher and Robert Gottlieb, UCLA , for The Community Food Security Coalition. Food for the Future: Conditions and Contradictions of Sustainability, edited by Patricia Allen, 1993. New York, John Wiley. Defining Sustainable Communities, Report from the Conference, June 2-4, 1994, $5.00 from Neighborhood Funders Group, 1001 South Marshall Street, Suite 55, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27101; 910-724-9070. Food Policy Councils: The Experience of Five Cities and One County, by Kenneth Dahlberg, Paper presented to the Joint Meeting of the Agri- culture, Food and Human Values Society and the Society for the Study of Food and Society, Tucson, AZ, June 1994 Hendrix College Project. by Melissa Beck Yazman, available from Gary Valen, Hendrix College, Conway, AR 72032. Local Food Systems: Policies and Values Influencing their Potential, by Kenneth Dahlberg, 1993. National Science Foundation supported project, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. Planting the Future: Developing an Agriculture that Sustains Land and Community, edited by Ann R. Bird, Gordan L. Bultena, and John C. Gardner. 1995. available from Iowa State University Press, 2121 S. State Avenue, Ames, IA 50014-8300. Regional Food Guidance: A Tool for a Sustainable Food System, by Jennifer Wilkens, Presented at the joint meeting of the Association for the Study of Food and Nutrition and the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society, Tucson, AZ, May 1994. Sustainable Community Values Project Preliminary Report, Workshop presentation by Verna Kragnes and others, Eating Closer to Home CSA Conference, Dec. 1994. University of Wisconsin, River Falls. The Community Food Security Empowerment Act, January 1995, available from The Community Food Security Coalition c/o Hartford Food System. Urban Foodsheds, by Arthur Getz. 1991, Permaculture Activist: Vol VII, No.3. Resources: The Community Food Security Coalition; Mark Winne, c/o the Hartford Food System, 509 Wethersfield Ave. Hartford, CT 06114. 203-296-9325; 203-296-8326 fax Andy Fisher, Robert Gottlieb, UCLA Department of Urban Planning, 405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095 310-825-1067; 310-206-5566 fax Kate Fitzgerald, Nessa Richman, Sustainable Food Center, 1715 East Sixth St., Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702; (512) 472-2073; (512) 472-2075 fax; hn2953@handsnet.org Kenneth Dahlberg, Local Food Systems Project;, Department of Political Science, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, (616) 387- 5686; (616) 387-3999 fax Anne deMeurisse, Minnesota Food Project, 2395 University Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55114. (612) 644-2038. Kate Clancy, Department of Nutrition and Food Managerment, 034 Slocum Hall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York; 13244-1250; (315) 443- 4554. Robert L. Wilson, consultant to City of Knoxville Food Policy Council, (615)-588-7168. or Gail Harris, City of Knoxville, Food Policy Council, PO Box 51650, Knoxville, TN 37950-1650. (615)-546-3500. Sally Leong, Foodshed Working Group, 793A Russell Laboratories, UW-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (608) 262-5309 Nancy Lee Bentley, The Food Circle, The Food Circle Network, PO Box 3083, Champaign, IL, 61826-3083, (217)-586-3846, xx200@prairienet.org for a packet of informational material including graphic linear and Food Circle models and a reprint of the Eco-City Journal "An Introduction to The Food Circle" article, send $7.95 to The Food Circle. Ben Kjelsus, The Food Circle Project, 7121 Park Road, Kansas City, MO 64129. (816) 924-3003. Verna Kragnes, Philadelphia Community Farm, Box 668, Osceola, WI 54020; (715) 294-3136. Rod MacRae, Toronto Food Policy Council, 277 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5B 1W1 416-392-1107: 416-392-1357 fax From nmatheson@desktop.orgTue Oct 10 23:12:14 1995 Date: 10 Oct 1995 21:40:30 GMT From: "Nancy E. Matheson" To: ncreamer@plymouth.ces.state.nc.us Cc: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: Innovative vegetable growers In response to your request for names of innovative vegetable growers, here's my favorite: Helen Atthowe 1541 S. Burnt Fork Road Stevensville, Montana 59870 phone: (406) 777-3723 Helen's specialty is organically grown tomatoes, peppers and flowers for the dried floral trade. She's one of the few commercial growers (field, not greenhouse) of these warm season crops in this harsh northern climate--in fact that is a source of her innovation. Helen's nutrient management involves living mulches between the beds and her own microbial inoculant, which she applies to the roots of the plants upon setting them out. (The inoculant is a formula of compost tea amended with minerals and other ingredients.) With the living mulches and the inoculant she controls the soil microbial activity--timing and intensity--and thus soil nutrient availability, stimulating the greatest microbial activity at key points in the growing season. Because she can stimulate high levels of microbial activity in relatively cold, spring soils, she is competing quite well with conventional growers for the early markets, growers who typically use fertilizer to provide the nutrients needed for that early season growth spurt. She can also assure consistent high quality. She's basically using soil microbes to extend the growing season on the front end, rather than lots of physical means commonly used to warm the soil and protect the plants against frost. Helen's farm has experienced frost in every month of the year, to give you an idea of the harshness of her climate. Helen is the recipient of a 1995 USDA Western Region SARE Producer-Initiated grant to further investigate the best ways to manage living mulches in intensive organic vegetable cropping for nutrient, weed, insect pest and disease management. =============== Nancy Matheson AERO 25 S. Ewing, #214 Helena, MT 59601 (406) 443-7272 nmatheson@desktop.org ================ -- ......................................................................... WestNet, the Information Service for People with a Passion for this Place Modem: 406-442-3697 (28,800/8-N-1) Info via Internet: westnet@desktop.org Sponsored by Desktop Assistance, Inc. Info via Internet: info@desktop.org ......................................................................... From nick@vu-vlsi.ee.vill.eduFri Mar 31 12:23:16 1995 Date: 29 Mar 1995 09:06:29 -0500 From: Nick Pine To: london@sunsite.unc.edu Subject: A high-performance, cost-effective, solar-heated greenhouse Commercial greenhouses that operate in the winter are usually made of two layers of polyethylene film, statically-inflated with a small blower, after the film is stretched over curved steel pipes on 4-6' centers. The steel pipes typically form a quonset hut or gothic arched structure, about 13' tall at the ridgeline, for a 30' wide house. These greenhouses are fairly inexpensive: A 30' x 96' greenhouse costs less than $3,000, including the poly film cover and ground stakes that serve as the foundation. Three people can put one up in less than one day. But, they also use a lot of energy in the wintertime. Roger Williams mentions that a standard commercial greenhouse like his 30' x 208' tomato greenhouse in New Bruswick, Canada, would typically require about 12,000 gallons of oil to heat, in that 9,000 degree-day climate. He was able to reduce the oil consumption of his greenhouse to less than 4,000 gallons a year, by various means, including the use of better insulation and solar heat :-) What can be done to make commercial greenhouses more solar-heated? Here is a drawing of a typical $3,000 commercial greenhouse... Greenhouse 96' long x 30' wide _________________________________________________ : : : : < D BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB : < A : < M BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB F < < P A < < E BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB N < < R : : BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB : : : :_________________________________________________: The house usually has a large fan at one end, about 23,000 cfm, mounted chest-high on one endwall, and a large motorized damper at the other end. There is usually a large gas or oil heater hanging from the ridge pipe. When the greenhouse begins to heat up from the sun in the wintertime, the fan turns on and the motorized damper opens, to cool the house. When the sun goes down, the heater comes on... The greenhouse may have 4 benches, as shown, each one being about 4' wide, with 2' aisles between the benches. The benches are typically supported on a 2 x 4, cement block or steel framework, at a height of about 33". Since the greenhouse walls are curved, the area near the walls has low headroom, typically about 4' 5" a foot away from the wall, 5' 5" 2' away, and 6' 7" 3' away from the wall. This headroom can be increased 1-2' by using longer ground posts. The first thing that one might do to help this picture, energy-wise, might be to put some dark-colored 55 gallon drums full of water under the south bench, to support it. 55 gallon drums are free for the hauling in many places, and the benches need some sort of support anyway. This would make the benches a little taller, since 55 gallon drums are about 23" in diameter and 35" tall. So along with this, one might pile up 2" of gravel or dirt in the walkways. Greenhouse 96' long x 30' wide _________________________________________________ : : : : < D BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB : < A : < M BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB F < < P A < < E BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB N < < R : : DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD : : white poly film : :_________________________________________________: south The drums would be standing on end, and dark colored, so the low-angle winter sun would shine on the sides of the drums. If the south bench were close to the south wall of the greenhouse, with no usable aisle on the south side of the bench, because the curved greenhouse wall has low headroom close to the wall, one might as well put some white poly film on the ground to the south of the south bench, to reflect about 50% more sun onto the drums. There might be a double row of drums under the 4' bench, about 96 drums altogether... It would make sense to use an 8' width of white poly, extending it under the drums to keep them from rusting, if they are steel drums in contact with the ground. Ordinary steel drums last about 20 years, when filled with water, when kept dry on the outside, I think. Adding a quart of oil to each drum, along with the 450 pounds of water, increases the lifetime, I've read. Food-grade drums, that contain things like molasses, usually have a plastic coating on the inside of the steel, which should further increase the drum lifetime, when the drum is filled with water. An empty drum weighs about 15 or 20 pounds. Plastic drums should last a long time, but they are harder to come by than steel drums. One might have to pay $5 for a plastic drum... An average day in the month of January, in the Philadelphia area, has an outdoor temperature of about 30 degrees F, and on an average January day, about 1000 Btu/ft^2 of solar energy falls on a south-facing vertical surface. Each pair of drums under the south bench has a south-facing area of about 2' wide x 3' tall, ie 6 ft^2, so, ignoring the sun that is absorbed by the plastic glazing, each pair of drums receives a daily solar input of about Ein = 6 ft^2 x 1000 Btu = 6000 Btu. Each drum has a surface area of about 25 ft^2, so if the average day/night greenhouse temperature is, say 60F, each pair of drums that contains water at a temperature of Td, higher than 60F, loses energy to the greenhouse over 24 hours, as the water cools off. The energy lost over 24 hours would be about Eout = 24 hours x (Td - 60) x 50 ft^2/R1 = 1200 (Td - 60). If Ein = Eout, over 24 hours, Td = 60 + 6000/1200 = 65F. Not very warm... But suppose we put a 12' poly film skirt around the drums, over the top of the drums (and under the bench itself) and down the sides to the ground. This would increase the R-value and decrease the surface area of the "solar closet" under the bench... In that case, the amount of heat that would leave the drums over a day would be about Eout = 24 (Td - 60) x (2 x 3 + 2 x 4 + 2 x 3) ft^2/R2 = 480 (Td-60), so if Ein = Eout, again, Td = 60 + 6000/480 = 72.5F. Better... Suppose we put some insulation on top of the drums, under the poly film. This will help keep the plant roots from cooking, as they sit in peat moss or pots on top of the benches, and make the drum water warmer. If the tops of the drums are covered with 2" of beadboard, or the benches are filled with mostly dry vermiculite or peat moss, most of the heat loss of the drums will be through the poly film side walls of the area under the bench, so Eout will be approximately Eout = 24 (Td - 60) x (2 x 3 + 0 + 2 x 3) ft^2/R2 = 288 (Td - 60), so if Ein = Eout, again, Td = 60 + 6000/288 = 80.8F. Better... We are trying to increase the drumwater temperature here, in order to better provide overnight heat, at least, and ideally, enough heat for a few cloudy days in a row. According to Roger's estimate, a 30 x 96' greenhouse, with a double poly inflated cover, would need about 3600 Btu/hour/degree F to stay warm inside in the winter, with no sun, or about 86.4K Btu/degree day. So in the Philadelphia area, a 96' x 30' greenhouse would need a daily heat input of about Eday = 86.4K x (50F - 30F) = 1.72 million Btu/day to stay at 50F inside on an average day, with no sun. Call it 2 million Btu/day, for a round number. This is the heat equivalent of about 20 gallons of oil, as burned in an old oil burner... If the 80.8 degree water in the 55 gallon drums above could be cooled quickly enough to heat the greenhouse to 50 degrees F for a while, the useful stored heat in the drum water might be about Estored = (80.8F - 60F) x 96 x 450 lb/drum = 900K Btu, which is enough heat to keep the greenhouse warm for about a half-day without sun, eg overnight... By the way, in some cases, commercial greenhouses use very efficient, internally-vented gas heaters, called CO2 generators, as well as externally vented heaters, to raise the CO2 level inside the greenhouse, which plants like a lot :-) Here is some text from the Stuppy Greenhouse catalog: Plants must absorb carbon dioxide in combination with water, soil nutrients and sunlight, to produce the sugars vital for growth. A shortage of any of these requirements will retard the growing process. Normally there are approximately 300 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere; when this level is increased to over 1,000 ppm, it results in higher production and better plant quality. The Johnson Generator [18" diameter x 20" high, 25 pounds, 20-60K Btu/hr, 8 lb CO2/hr, $465] provides up to 1,500 ppm per unit in an average 24' x 200' greenhouse or an equivalent 50,000 cu. ft. volume, **based on one air change per hour**. [Emphasis mine.] Nighttime levels in a greenhouse range generally from 400 to 500 ppm due to plant respiration. Shortly after sunrise this level will drop to normal atmosphere (300 ppm) due to the plant using the early light to start photosynthesis. After 3-4 hours of early morning sunlight, the CO2 level can drop to around 100-150 ppm. Then growth is practically stopped. Supplemental CO2 added during this period can substantially increase your plant and flower production. By adding CO2, especially during the winter months when greenhouse ventilators are closed and when low CO2 concentration becomes a limiting factor in growth, users are obtaining yield and bloom quality comparable to that which is normally associated with spring and summer conditions... Reducing the use of ventilation to the outside to cool the greenhouse on sunny winter days also helps increase the retention of CO2, if a CO2 generator is used, as noted above. (I think a CO2 generator would make a fine backup heater in a solar greenhouse.) Reducing sunny-day winter ventilation also helps in maintaining a high humidity level in the greenhouse. It takes about 1000 Btu to evaporate a pound of water, so the less we vent humidity to the outside, in the winter, the less water and energy are needed to keep the greenhouse humidity level high. Preheating water is also sometimes a good thing, in a greenhouse. Plants don't like being watered with very cold water. Roger's tomato greenhouse consumed about 400 gallons of water a day, and he preheated this water by running it through a long 1/2" poly pipe along one wall. A poly pipe for water heating might also run under the south bench... What's next? Well, we could put 55 gallon drums full of water under all the benches, since 55 gallon drums are free, and the benches need some support anyway. This would help keep the greenhouse from freezing, at least, but it seems like just doing this would not add a lot to the useful stored heat, because the new drums would have a drumwater temperature of 60F (or less, since they would be near the floor), so they wouldn't do much to help the greenhouse stay warm at 50F, which is not much cooler than 60F. With a 10F difference between the water temp in the new drums and the greenhouse temp, there will not be much heatflow from the drums to the greenhouse air, at night. Still, the idea of that much free thermal mass is appealing: 300 more drums, each containing about 500 pounds of water, with a temperature fluctuation of 10 degrees F, will store about 10F x 300 x 500 = 1,500,000 Btu of heat, about 15 gallons of oil's worth, almost one cloudy day's worth for the greenhouse... About now, we might ask, if this is so easy to do, why don't more commercial growers do it? I think the answer is that they haven't thought much about it. They are more interested in plants and beautiful flowers than Btus. A lot of them don't even have engineering degrees :-) Some of them come from families who have grown plants in greenhouses for five generations, and they know what works, and they are not too inclined to experiment with anything new, which might cost them an entire crop of dead plants, or poinsettias that are practically worthless, because they bloom the week AFTER Christmas... So they just fire up the old heaters and pass on the costs to their customers, making their lives simpler, and we pay high prices if we want to eat fresh, red tomatoes or oranges in December. (One of the reasons that Roger Williams got interested in building a tomato greenhouse, in northern Canada, was that a couple of children in the small town where he lived got scurvy in wintertime.) So, where were we? Oh yes, now we have lots of thermal mass, but it's not very warm yet, and the heat transfer rate is too low. Considering only the drums under the south bench, with 600 ft^2 of drum closet surface area, losing heat at 1 Btu/hr/F, if the drums were heating the greenhouse entirely, at 60F inside and 30F outside, the greenhouse will need 108K Btu/hr, so the drums would have to be 108K/600/R2 = 360 degrees warmer than the greenhouse. Hmmm. Something is wrong here... The heat transfer rate is too low. If there were a motorized damper in the closet, to let some air flow past the drum surfaces, the heat transfer area would increase to 2400 ft^2, with an R-value of about 1, so the drums would need to be about 108K/2400 = 45 degrees warmer than the greenhouse. This is the right direction, but it is still too large a temperature difference... If the air were moving at 10 mph, the R-value of the air film at the drum surface would decrease to about 1/(1+ 10/2) = 1/6, so the temperature drop would decrease to about 7 degrees, which is OK. I guess the bench needs a fan underneath, now, at one end, with a gravity damper at the other end now, not a motorized one. In this case, one might stagger the drums a bit, to allow air to flow more freely between them, down under the length of the bench. This might reduce the number of drums in a row from 96 to 90... That's OK. How big a fan? 108K Btu/hr at, say, another 10F drop makes the fan want to be about 10K cfm. 10 mph is 880 fpm, so the effective cross sectional area for airflow, under the bench, wants to be about 10K/880 = 10 ft^2. This could be done by placing the drums about 3' apart, but that would make the bench 7' wide, so it is probably better to stagger the drums, and make them about 6" apart, at their closest points, with a 3" air gap between the outside walls of the drums and the poly sidewalls. A small horizontal air gap, or some air leaks along the base of the poly skirt, near the ground, would also make air flow more easily. In this case, the airspeed might be about 3000 fpm at 10,000 cfm, but the air would actually flow more slowly at a lower cfm, which would depend on the characteristics of the fan. E. C. Geiger at (800) 4GEIGER or (215) 256-6511 sells a 1/3 HP, 431 rpm, 36" diameter, two-speed, $700 fan, rated at 10,300 cfm free air delivery, and 8800 cfm at 0.10" of water. The stock number is DC36F, on page 118 of their 1995 catalog. At this point, one wonders if the fan should be near the top of the house, to push warm air from the peak down a diagonal poly duct along one endwall, thru the length of the "solar closet" under the bed... The sun that comes into the greenhouse in January, at a low angle, comes thru "the south wall," an effective area of the length of the greenhouse x the height. In the Philadelphia area, I would figure this as 1000 Btu/day x 96' x 13' = 1.25 M Btu/day, for a 30' Geiger "Northerner" greenhouse, with a peak height of about 13', on an average January day. At 86.4K Btu/dd, the greenhouse would lose about (60-30)x86.4K = 2.6 M Btu/day, on an average Jan day... So if the greenhouse were entirely solar heated, the average (day and night) indoor temp would only be about 30 +1.25/2.92x30 = 44F. But if there were snow or a white piece of poly or perhaps a shallow reflecting pool on the ground, in front of the south wall, outside the greenhouse, that would roughly double the solar input, making it close to 100% solar-heated in January... Here is one possible "final" version of a commercial solar greenhouse: Greenhouse 96' long x 30' wide _________________________________________________ : : : : < D DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD : < A : < M DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDFDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD F < < P A A < < E BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBNBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB N < < R : : DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD : : white poly film : :_________________________________________________: reflecting pool south Looking at this from the south side, not to scale: _________________________________________________ : : < DAMPER Poly film ductP<==FAN FAN < : P P P : : up down up : : DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD : : DDDDDDDDDDDDDDD (poly film) DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD : :_________________________________________________: The central fan would be the main one used on a sunny winter day. The east fan would be used for extra cooling capacity in the summer, if needed. The central fan would push warm air from the peak of the greenhouse into a 30" poly film duct near the ridge that went to a motorized damper at the west end of the greenhouse. In external cooling mode, this air would pass through the poly duct and out the motorized damper, which would be open. Another duct would run north and south from the central fan, to connect to 4 down ducts that went into the tops of the benches at the center of the greenhouse. This air would emerge from the ends of the benches into up-ducts, which would return the air to the peak of the greenhouse, allowing the peak of the greenhouse to be warmer than the air in the bench area. One of the down ducts might contain a CO2 generator... The space under the benches would look like this, from the east: | 4' | _ :___bench____: polyfilm In winter, the drums would be kept at, say, pfoamboardp 130F, weatehr permitting. This would store 3' odrum drumo about 200K lbs x (130F-80F) = 10 million BTU, ldrum druml or 5 cloudy day's worth of useful heat. ydrum drumy white poly film...--------- And the space under the bench might look like this, from the top: : : In the summer, the central fan could run up to : drum : 24 hours a day, partially storing summer heat : : in the drums during the day, and cooling the : drum : 400 drums and the greenhouse at night. In the : : Philadelphia area, with 50% shadecloth, the : drum : summer sun input in June would be about 1000 BTU per square foot per day, or ... 3000 Btu x 1000 Btu/ft^2 = 3 million Btu/day. If all of this daily summer sun's heat (100%, with NO external ventilation during the day) were stored in the 200K pounds of drumwater, this would raise the water temperature by 15 degrees F. If the drumwater were at 130F in the winter, and the house were at 60F, the plant roots, in peat moss, would be at a temperature Tr, where Tr is about 60 + (130-60)/R11 = 66F. Water evaporating from the plants would actually keep the roots a bit cooler than this... Roger Williams suggests that in a new greenhouse, solar heating can be done by storing energy in the earth below, eg by burying 10" plastic pipes, one on each side of each bench, and blowing air through them, without using all of these drums. The success of this technique for heating and cooling a greenhouse would depend on the height of the water table and the nature of water flow underground... I've heard that solar greenhouses are used extensively in Japan, where energy is more expensive. Does anyone know anything more about this? Nick From lfelch@welchlink.welch.jhu.eduThu Mar 28 16:47:49 1996 Date: 27 Mar 1996 21:31:03 GMT From: "LINDA J. FELCH" To: sustag-public@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: permaculture workshops (some free) Heathcote Community, an intentional community in Northern Maryland, will be hosting permaculture workshops on the following dates: FREE Introduction to Permaculture Monday, April 1, Friday, April 12, Friday, May 10, Friday, June 7 7 to 9 PM (donations accepted) FREE Introduction to Permaculture Saturday, May 18, Sunday, June 2 1 to 4 PM (donations accepted) Patterning Intensive Workshop April 13-14 (sliding scale $100-160) Design Course July 6-20 ($775, limited work exchange and tuition assistance available) Includes vegetarian meals and lodging in bunk room or tent site Pre-requisite: reading of Mollison and Slay's Intro to Permaculture Care for children age five and up is available with prior notification at an additional cost. ASL interpretation or other special accomodations may be requested in advance. For more information, please call (410) 343-DIRT. From andrewm@efn.org Sun Feb 5 21:25:17 EST 1995 Article: 1964 of alt.architecture.alternative Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-server.ncren.net!news.duke.edu!solaris.cc.vt.edu!insosf1.infonet.net!usenet.ee.pdx.edu!cs.uoregon.edu!mars.efn.org!efn.org!not-for-mail From: andrewm@efn.org (Andrew Macmillen) Newsgroups: alt.architecture,alt.architecture.alternative Subject: Holistic Homes Design Date: 4 Feb 1995 11:37:30 -0800 Organization: Oregon Public Networking Lines: 19 Message-ID: <3h0l1q$cu5@efn.org> NNTP-Posting-Host: efn.org Summary: An intro to my business Keywords: holistic, alternative, feng-shui, spirit X-Newsreader: NN version 6.5.0 #7 (NOV) Xref: bigblue.oit.unc.edu alt.architecture:5955 alt.architecture.alternative:1964 I would like to introduce users of this group to my business. Holistic Homes Design offers support and advice for a gestalt approach to homebuilding, including, but not by any means limited to: low-toxic, natural and alternative materials, energy efficiency, EMF control, the 3 R's, feng-shui, Permaculture, etc... Some of the parameters I work with are site selection, patterning, Gaian impact, social & community interactions, and choices arising from mental, emotional & spiritual factors. For further information, email to 'andrewm@efn.org', or for Web users, visit my home page at 'http://www.efn.org/~andrewm'. Thanx... Andrew P.S. I know news commercials are a bit tacky, but perhaps also resource efficient and holistic? From bspaugh@cce.cornell.eduTue Jan 16 02:02:52 1996 Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 13:55:36 -0500 (EST) From: Beth Spaugh To: "Norman A.Gundersheim" Cc: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: Holistic resource management Hi Norm. I was in Nebraska for 12 years before coming to Cornell. I have several friends very involved in HRM, formed by Alan Savory. Briefly, as I understand it, HRM involves a series of workshops on management and decisions. Savory himself was very committed to intensive rotational grazing and several of my friends involved in HRM are very pleased with the grazing systems they have implemented. I neer hears Savory first hand, so mwhat I say is my interpretation of someone' interpretation of what he said. They basically went for rotational grazing as a substitute for "mob"grazing as the buffalo did. It is not a recipe, and my friends have become very involved with plant identification and life cycles. Thye utilize the grazing to improve production and stand and to control undesirable species. As mentioned before though, HRM goes way beyond grazing to other management issues - similar to but more in depth than ProDairy. I say more indepth partly because the folks go away to a several day to week course so a are more immersed rather than going home and catching up on chores as they do after our ProDairy classes. I am out of the loop now, but assume someone will write with HRMs address. They have state offices, but my memory is they were headquartered in New Mexico or thereabouts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Beth Spaugh CENET: bspaugh Cornell Cooperative Extension, INTERNET: bspaugh@cce.cornell.edu Clinton County VOICE: 518-561-7450 6064 Route 22 FAX: 518-561-0183 Plattsburgh NY 12901 From rmcdonald@HRR1.HORT.CRI.NZMon Feb 27 21:57:15 1995 Date: Tue, 28 Feb 1995 15:19:52 +1200 From: Rod McDonald To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Engineering in Sustainable Ag I would like to introduce myself and my group to sanet. We are a group of 18 scientists and engineers working in agricultural research, partly funded by government and partly by farming industry groups. We are the main engineering R&D resource for horticultural and pastoral research in New Zealand. Our academic backgrounds include physics, mathematics and biotechnology as well as most of the engineering and electronics branches. We have close working relationships with scientists working in most biological areas. A lot of our work is directed at finding ways of operating large-scale agricultural industries with minimal or no use of chemicals. Agriculture here is taking consumer demand for greater health assurance very seriously, so funding for this kind of research is quite significant by NZ standards. Substantial changes to agricultural practice are being made, especially in horticulture, and increasingly these changes are being driven by the marketing boards which coordinate most of New Zealand's agricultural exports. A theme of our work is that sustainable farming usually requires more effort (physical and mental) than conventional farming, and consequently can be limited by the availability of human resources. The role of engineers is to make human resources go further by developing helpful tools and processes. Often our aim is to find a way of turning an uneconomic ideal into an economic reality. My group's current interests in the sustainable ag field include: Non-chemical fruit disinfestation Non-destructive high-speed grading of individual fruit for sweetness, defects and insect infestation Use of beneficial fungus and fungal extracts for control of undesirable fungal infections Practical use of pheromones for insect control (eg mating disruption) Non-spray herbicide application technology for control of rampant vines and trees (eg stream-blocking willows) Minimal-chemical weed control Automatic trapping for control of pest animals (a serious problem in New Zealand - our ancestors imported a lot of small animals but not the predators to keep them in check) Objective measurement of stress in free-ranging animals and during transportation Creation of micro-environments with shelter and reflective foils Minimizing use of insecticides and fungicides in large-scale production of exportable fruit Simple controlled-release systems for disease prevention in livestock ************************ Rod McDonald Engineer/scientist Horticulture and Food Research Institute, Hamilton, New Zealand Phone +64-7-8385675 work, +64-7-8552019 home, Fax +64-7-8385655 ************************ From rsanders@alb.asctmd.com Tue Jan 17 22:06:23 EST 1995 Article: 501 of rec.ponds Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!news.clark.net!rahul.net!a2i!mack.rt66.com!man5.asctmd.com!rsanders From: rsanders@alb.asctmd.com (Robert Sanders) Newsgroups: rec.ponds,alt.energy.renewable Subject: Re: Info on the New Alchemist Institute Date: Mon, 16 Jan 1995 23:52:05 Organization: AMTECH Systems Corporation (EVAL) Lines: 14 Message-ID: References: NNTP-Posting-Host: 198.59.170.91 X-Newsreader: Trumpet for Windows [Version 1.0 Rev A] Xref: bigblue.oit.unc.edu rec.ponds:501 alt.energy.renewable:4175 In article jwasson@eznet.net (Jason Wasson) writes: >I was wondering if anybody new if this group is still around and if so, do >you have their address? Thanks alot. From the information I read in DeKorne's "The Hydroponic Hothouse", published in 1992, they never actually got anything to work without putting lots of (external) energy into it. DeKorne has been tring to get things to function in a closed system as was promised in the '70s. I recommed his book to get some practical daylight on the realities of the promises. Bob From sustag@BETA.TRICITY.WSU.EDUSun Dec 11 21:56:12 1994 Date: Sun, 11 Dec 1994 18:43:05 -0800 From: "Tom Hodges (moderated newsgroup)" To: Multiple recipients of list SUSTAG-L Subject: IBS 95 (fwd) Date: Sun, 11 Dec 1994 14:43:36 -0500 From: Prabhakar Bhogaraju To: SUSTAG-L@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu Cc: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: IBS 95 Hi there, This is a message I got from the Institute for Bioregional Studies. Thought it could be of interest to some of you. -Prabhakar. >Date: Sun, 11 Dec 1994 11:37:02 -0400 (AST) >From: "Inst. for Bioreg. Studies" >Subject: IBS 95 >To: "Bob.Cervelli" , > "Bill.Rees" , > Prabhakar Bhogaraju , > David Bell >Mime-Version: 1.0 > >Dear Friends; > I am sending you the on-line version of the Institute >for Bioregional Studies 1995 catalogue. > IBS remains committed to teaching the skills that will >enable people to re-create a caring and more sustainable culture. >We have put together an exciting and valuable program with the >support of well known bioregionalists across Canada and the >United States. > Please forward this message to colleagues and students >who may wish to participate. > >Permaculture Design Course: >A two-week intensive in sustainable systems design > >at Shades of Harmony Farm, Kingston, Nova Scotia > >July 2-16, 1995 > > Through lecture, discussion, >observation and hands-on experiential learning, students >will develop the practical skills and knowledge to design and >implement sustainable systems that are in harmony with the >natural world. > The term, permaculture, was patented by, Bill Mollison in >the early 1970's to describe a system of permanent habitations. >With roots in agricultural systems it has evolved into a program >for designing ecological communities and restoring urban centers. >It is about self-reliance, growing food, and building creative, >beautiful, energy-efficient structures from local materials. > >Permaculture Instructors: >Michael Pilarski, >editor of, Restoration Forestry, and founder >of Friends of the Trees, has been >teaching permaculture world- wide since 1981. > >Garry Lean, >permaculture designer and professor of >Integrated Resource Management at Sir Sandford Fleming >College, Lindsay, Ontario. > >David Jacke, >sustainable and ecologically sound landscape >designer and land use planner with Native Harvest Designs. > >Plus: Guest Speakers involved >in sustainable agricultural, >renewable energy, ecological >planning and green economics. > >Certification: >Course graduates will be certified as Permaculture >Design Trainees. After two years experience, application >may be made for 'Applied Permaculture Design' diplomas. >Graduates are entitled to use the term "Permaculture" >in the pursuit of livelihood, and educational uses. > >Permaculture Course Topics: >*Permaculture methodlogy >*Permaculture principles >*Ethic of permaculture >*Observation Skills >*Bioregional planning & mapping >*Local self-reliance >*Site analysis >*Tree crops >*Medicinal herbs >*Organic Agriculture >*Agroforestry systems >*Edibile landscaping >*Keyline system >*Land Trusts & Communities >*Aquaculture >*Greenhouses >*Erosion Control >*Soil microbiology >*Sustainable Forestry >*Ecosystem restoration >*Livestock and wildlife >*Urban permaculture >*Appropriate energy >*Working in the South >*Formal & Informal Economies >*Straw-bale construction > and much, much more....... > >For more information on >the Permaculture Course >curriculum contact the >Institute for Bioregional >Studies or any of the course >instructors: > >Institute for Bioregional Studies, >449 University Ave., Suite 126, >Charlottetown, Prince Edward >Island, Canada C1A 8K3. >(902) 892-9578 > >Michael Pilarski c/o Friends of >the Trees Society >PO Box 1064 >Tonasket, Washington 98855 >Phone/Fax: (509) 485-2705 > >Garry Lean >RR 2 >Cameron, Ontario KOM 1GO >Phone: (705) 887-5230 > >David Jacke >152 Cottage Street >Great Barrington, Mass. 01230 >Phone: (413) 528-5677 > >Summer Programs on Ecological Planning: > >Restoration Ecology: >Reconstructing Sustainable >Communities (July 20-24). > Restoration Ecology, defines the quality and quantity of >resources needed to attain self-reliance, social justice, and an >improved quality of life in order to sustain a region's human and >native populations. >Guest lecturers include: >Dr. William Rees, >Dean, Community and Rural Planing, University of British Colombia. >Bill, uses the term, "Our Ecological Footprint" for a system used >to estimate the sustainability of our lifestyles. > >Dr. Doug Aberely, >editor, Futures by Design: The Practice of Ecological >Planning. Doug, will explain new techniques that empower local >communities to develop their own environmental plans. > >Dr. Ray Cote, >Dean, School of Environmental Planning, Dalhousie University. >Ray, has developed a system for designing industrial >parks as closed ecosystems, recycling and reusing wastes. > >Coming Home: >Awakening Community >Resourcefulness(July 28-30) > Out of the turbulence and momentum of the "mean and lean >'90's" is emerging a new set of personal, instiutional and global >standards pointing the way toward a more workable humane economy. > >Guest Lecturers include: >Dr. Wayne Roberts, >co-chair Coalition for a Green Economic Recovery, author of >_Get a Life: Canada's Green Cure for Economic Blues_. >Wayne, will offer many viable solutions to personal and >regional economic problems, that are in harmony with the bioregional >vision. > >Carla Conrad, >Co-ordinator, Regional Atlantic Trading Note Association (RATNA). >RATNA has over 5000 members in the Halifax area who >believe that the global economy will soon break up into dozens of >small, vibrant-bioregional economies. They have begun printing and >circulating their own currency! > >Hands-on, Homemade Power >and Energy Conservation >(July 31-Aug 3) > Learn the latest 'State of the Art' techniques for conserving >energy and recycling wastes around your home or business. > Workshops will focus on the cultural, societal and >philosophical implications of resource efficiency. Topics will >include: solar home design, straw-bale building construction, >composting toilets, grey water treatment, composting, energy >conservation and appropriate technologies. > >Guest Lecturers include: >Scott Chaplin and Maureen Cureton, >co-workers of Amory and Hunter Lovins at the Rocky Mountain >Institute, Snowmass, Colorado. Their experience includes work >with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance as well as work in >the resource industries of Nicaragua, the United States and >Canada. > >Spirit of the Region: >Celebrating Nature, Culture, >and Community (August 4-6) >The bioregional solution to the environmental crisis means that >we can turn the emerging chaos into opportunity. Come celebrate >with some of the most popular visionaries who are showing us >how it can be done. > >Guests include: >Kirkpatrick Sale, >Board of >Director, Schumaker Society, author of _Dwellers of the Land: >The Bioregional Vision_ > >Judith and Christopher Plant, >editors, New Society Publishers, New Catalyst Education Foundation; > >John Joe Sark, Captain Miq-Mak Grand Council. > >Plus regional musicians and entertainers. > >Some precepts basic to both permaculture and bioregionalism: > >*Basis in ecology. >*Basing unique culture on indigenous materials >*High degree of local self-sufficiency. >*Observation/awareness of boundaries of plant and animal > communities. >*Preservation and restoration of native plant communities. >*Aesthetics >*Worker-owned, enterprises with non-exploitative relationships. >*Decentralized, participatory, democratic governance. >*Recognizing inter-relationships between elements in the system > and maximizing symbiotic relationships. > >Objectives of IBS > It is the objective of IBS to train participants to become >effective catalysts in the regeneration of the planet. > The "Bioregional" perspective means that our focus is >on the design and evolution of healthy, interdependent and >economically self-reliant communities. > To achieve this objective IBS creates a forum for improved >communications; permitting socially conscious individuals to >interact in a student centered, non-authoritarian environment. > Today we can not just, "Think Globally and Act Locally". We >need to, "Develop Local Solutions to Global Problems". We therefore >have founded IBS to demonstrate the recent, ecologically oriented, >scientific, social and tecnological achievements that >are relevant to achieving the goal of an ecological society. > > >Course Site and >Facilities > > Our residential programs are held on our 40 acre farm, >Shades of Harmony, surrounded by woodland on the North Mountain >in Kingston, Nova Scotia. The North Mountian runs along the >beautiful coast of the Bay of Fundy and the vibrant, small >farming communities in the Annapolis Valley. Our facilities >include a library, lecture hall, organic gardens, a freestanding >greenhouse and an attached solar greenhouse, plus a kitchen and >dining hall located in the farmhouse. Classes will be held >on the farm and/or at the Community Hall down the road. > >Accomodations > Participants are encouraged to establish a group camping >site which will create the ambience for an intimate educational >community. Housing can also be provided at a neighboring Youth >Hostel or billets by special arrangement. > A registered campground is also located nearby for anyone >with a trailer to hook-up. > >Childcare >Children are welcome on-site > Parents who require childcare services can make arrangements >in the community but should contact us prior to registering. > >Pets >*Please* No pets. > >Summer Program Tuition and Fees > >Permaculture Design >Course Tuition: > Tuition for the course is $750 to $675 self-set sliding scale. >This includes instruction, meals, curriculum materials, campsite >and use of facilities. A $100.00 dollar deposit (non-refundable) is >required with registration. The remainder is due on or before >July 2, 1995. Single day attendence is possible at $60.00 >per day. Participants will be sent an information packet upon >registration. > Course will be limited to 35 participants. > >Restoration Ecology: >Reconstructing >Sustainable Communities >(July 20-24) >$300.00 +(optional meals) > >Coming Home: >Awakening Community >Resourcefulness(July 28-30) >$180.00 +(optional meals) > >Hands-on, Homemade Power >and Energy Conservation >(July 31-Aug 3) >$240.00 +(optional meals) > >Spirit of the Region: >Celebrating Nature, Culture, >and Community (August 4-6) >$180.00 + (optional meals) > >4 weeks (July 2-August 6) >$1500.00 (includes meals during >permaculture course only) > > > >Meal Option: > Three tasty meals, featuring organically grown food >will be served each day. > The fees for the permaculture course include meals. >(Because of the intensity of the schedule there will not >be enough breaks to prepare your own meals.) > For other courses the meal program is optional at >$10.00 per day. If you choose to cook your own meals you must >supply an approved camp stove. > >Billets > Participants who do not wish to camp out can make special >arrangement to billet nearby @ $20.00 per night. Local motels >are also available. > >Course fees for USA Residents >Permaculture Design Course: >Cdn. $650.00 before May 1. >$750.00 after May 1. At current rates >of exchange this is less than US$450.00 >before May 1 and $525.00 after. An >excellent value for a course of this quality. > >Registration Form >Name__________________________________________________________ > >Address_______________________________________________________ > >______________________________________________________________ > >______________________________________________________________ > >Phone_________________________________________________________ > >____ I will campout. >____ I wish to billet @ $20/night >____ Please send me a listing of campgrounds and motels. >____ Enclosed is my non-refundable deposit of $100.00. >____Enclosed is my entire tuition. >Make payment by certified bank cheque or money order payable to: >Institute for Bioregional Studies. >____ You may release my name and phone number to other course > participants for carpooling purposes. >____ I can offer a ride. >____ I need a ride. >Special dietary requests: >_______________________________________________________________ > >_______________________________________________________________ > > >Phil Ferraro, Director >Institute for Bioregional Studies >449 University Avenue Suite 126 "Developing Local Solutions to >Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Global Problems" >Canada C1A 8K3 >(902) 892-9578 > > From pferraro@bud.peinet.pe.ca Thu Apr 6 23:22:16 EDT 1995 Article: 9169 of misc.survivalism Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-server.ncren.net!news.duke.edu!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!torn!news.unb.ca!peinet.pe.ca!peinet.pe.ca!not-for-mail From: pferraro@bud.peinet.pe.ca (Inst. for Bioreg. Studies) Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Subject: bioregional studies Date: 1 Apr 1995 23:13:10 -0400 Organization: PEINet, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada Lines: 44 Distribution: world Message-ID: <3ll4o6$4nj@bud.peinet.pe.ca> NNTP-Posting-Host: bud.peinet.pe.ca It is the objective of IBS to train participants to become effective catalysts in the regeneration of the planet. The "Bioregional" perspective means that our focus is on the design and evolution of healthy, interdependent and self-reliant communities. Today we can not just, "Think Globally and Act Locally" We also need to, "Think Long Term and Act Now". Therefore, IBS was founded to demonstrate the recent, ecologically oriented, scientific, social and technological achievements that are relevant to achieving the goal of an ecological society. The Institute for Bioregional Studies 1995 Summer Programs catalogue is now available on-line or by requesting a hard copy. Our programs will be hosted at the spectacular Ovens Natural Park in Riverport, Nova Scotia. Seminars will feature: ~Permaculture Design Course~ ~Straw Bale Construction~ ~Ecological Planning~ Guest Lecturers include: Kirkpatrick Sale, Schumacher Society; Michael Pilarski, Friends of the Trees; Judith Plant, New Catalyst Education Society; Maureen Cureton, Rocky Mountain. Institute; Ray Cote, Director, School of Environmental Planning,Dal. U; William Rees, Dean, School of Community Planning, UBC; Carla Conrod, Regional Atlantic Trading Note Association and others For more information send $2.00 to: IBS, 449 University Avenue, Suite 126, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 8K3 Phone: (902) 892-9578 or for an electronic copy e-mail: pferraro@peinet.pe.ca -- Phil Ferraro, Director Institute for Bioregional Studies 449 University Avenue Suite 126 "Developing Local Solutions to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Global Problems" Canada C1A 8K3 (902) 892-9578 From pferraro@bud.peinet.pe.ca Wed Dec 21 19:17:21 EST 1994 Article: 992 of bionet.agroforestry Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-server.ncren.net!taco.cc.ncsu.edu!gatech!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!torn!news.unb.ca!peinet.pe.ca!peinet.pe.ca!not-for-mail From: pferraro@bud.peinet.pe.ca (Inst. for Bioreg. Studies) Newsgroups: bionet.agroforestry Subject: Permies and Bioregionalists Date: 19 Dec 1994 11:29:24 -0400 Organization: PEINet, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada Lines: 350 Distribution: world Message-ID: <3d48sk$iaf@bud.peinet.pe.ca> NNTP-Posting-Host: bud.peinet.pe.ca Dear Friends; I am sending you the on-line version of the Institute for Bioregional Studies 1995 catalogue. We have put together an exciting and valuable program with the support of well known bioregionalists across Canada and the United States. Please forward this message to colleagues and students who may wish to participate. Permaculture Design Course: A two-week intensive in sustainable systems design at Shades of Harmony Farm, Kingston, Nova Scotia July 2-16, 1995 Through lecture, discussion, observation and hands-on experiential learning, students will develop the practical skills and knowledge to design and implement sustainable systems that are in harmony with the natural world. The term, permaculture, was patented by, Bill Mollison in the early 1970's to describe a system of permanent habitations. With roots in agricultural systems it has evolved into a program for designing ecological communities and restoring urban centers. It is about self-reliance, growing food, and building creative, beautiful, energy-efficient structures from local materials. Permaculture Instructors: Michael Pilarski, editor of, Restoration Forestry, and founder of Friends of the Trees, has been teaching permaculture world- wide since 1981. Garry Lean, permaculture designer and professor of Integrated Resource Management at Sir Sandford Fleming College, Lindsay, Ontario. David Jacke, sustainable and ecologically sound landscape designer and land use planner with Native Harvest Designs. Plus: Guest Speakers involved in sustainable agricultural, renewable energy, ecological planning and green economics. Certification: Course graduates will be certified as Permaculture Design Trainees. After two years experience, application may be made for 'Applied Permaculture Design' diplomas. Graduates are entitled to use the term "Permaculture" in the pursuit of livelihood, and educational uses. Permaculture Course Topics: *Permaculture methodlogy *Permaculture principles *Ethic of permaculture *Observation Skills *Bioregional planning & mapping *Local self-reliance *Site analysis *Tree crops *Medicinal herbs *Organic Agriculture *Agroforestry systems *Edibile landscaping *Keyline system *Land Trusts & Communities *Aquaculture *Greenhouses *Erosion Control *Soil microbiology *Sustainable Forestry *Ecosystem restoration *Livestock and wildlife *Urban permaculture *Appropriate energy *Working in the South *Formal & Informal Economies *Straw-bale construction and much, much more....... For more information on the Permaculture Course curriculum contact the Institute for Bioregional Studies or any of the course instructors: Institute for Bioregional Studies, 449 University Ave., Suite 126, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A 8K3. (902) 892-9578 Michael Pilarski c/o Friends of the Trees Society PO Box 1064 Tonasket, Washington 98855 Phone/Fax: (509) 485-2705 Garry Lean RR 2 Cameron, Ontario KOM 1GO Phone: (705) 887-5230 David Jacke 152 Cottage Street Great Barrington, Mass. 01230 Phone: (413) 528-5677 Summer Programs on Ecological Planning: Restoration Ecology: Reconstructing Sustainable Communities (July 20-24). Restoration Ecology, defines the quality and quantity of resources needed to attain self-reliance, social justice, and an improved quality of life in order to sustain a region's human and native populations. Guest lecturers include: Dr. William Rees, Dean, Community and Rural Planing, University of British Colombia. Bill, uses the term, "Our Ecological Footprint" for a system used to estimate the sustainability of our lifestyles. Dr. Doug Aberely, editor, Futures by Design: The Practice of Ecological Planning. Doug, will explain new techniques that empower local communities to develop their own environmental plans. Dr. Ray Cote, Dean, School of Environmental Planning, Dalhousie University. Ray, has developed a system for designing industrial parks as closed ecosystems, recycling and reusing wastes. Coming Home: Awakening Community Resourcefulness(July 28-30) Out of the turbulence and momentum of the "mean and lean '90's" is emerging a new set of personal, instiutional and global standards pointing the way toward a more workable humane economy. Guest Lecturers include: Dr. Wayne Roberts, co-chair Coalition for a Green Economic Recovery, author of _Get a Life: Canada's Green Cure for Economic Blues_. Wayne, will offer many viable solutions to personal and regional economic problems, that are in harmony with the bioregional vision. Carla Conrod, Co-ordinator, Regional Atlantic Trading Note Association (RATNA). RATNA has over 200 members in the Halifax area who believe that the global economy will soon break up into dozens of small, vibrant-bioregional economies. They have begun printing and circulating their own currency! Hands-on, Homemade Power and Energy Conservation (July 31-Aug 3) Learn the latest 'State of the Art' techniques for conserving energy and recycling wastes around your home or business. Workshops will focus on the cultural, societal and philosophical implications of resource efficiency. Topics will include: solar home design, straw-bale building construction, composting toilets, grey water treatment, composting, energy conservation and appropriate technologies. Guest Lecturers include: Scott Chaplin and Maureen Cureton, co-workers of Amory and Hunter Lovins at the Rocky Mountain Institute, Snowmass, Colorado. Their experience includes work with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance as well as work in the resource industries of Nicaragua, the United States and Canada. Spirit of the Region: Celebrating Nature, Culture, and Community (August 4-6) The bioregional solution to the environmental crisis means that we can turn the emerging chaos into opportunity. Come celebrate with some of the most popular visionaries who are showing us how it can be done. Guests include: Kirkpatrick Sale, Board of Director, Schumacher Society, author of _Dwellers of the Land: The Bioregional Vision_ Judith and Christopher Plant, editors, New Society Publishers, New Catalyst Education Foundation; John Joe Sark, Captain Miq-Mak Grand Council. Plus regional musicians and entertainers. Some precepts basic to both permaculture and bioregionalism: *Basis in ecology. *Basing unique culture on indigenous materials *High degree of local self-sufficiency. *Observation/awareness of boundaries of plant and animal communities. *Preservation and restoration of native plant communities. *Aesthetics *Worker-owned, enterprises with non-exploitative relationships. *Decentralized, participatory, democratic governance. *Recognizing inter-relationships between elements in the system and maximizing symbiotic relationships. Objectives of IBS It is the objective of IBS to train participants to become effective catalysts in the regeneration of the planet. The "Bioregional" perspective means that our focus is on the design and evolution of healthy, interdependent and economically self-reliant communities. To achieve this objective IBS creates a forum for improved communications; permitting socially conscious individuals to interact in a student centered, non-authoritarian environment. Today we can not just, "Think Globally and Act Locally". We need to, "Develop Local Solutions to Global Problems". We therefore have founded IBS to demonstrate the recent, ecologically oriented, scientific, social and tecnological achievements that are relevant to achieving the goal of an ecological society. Course Site and Facilities Our residential programs are held on our 40 acre farm, Shades of Harmony, surrounded by woodland on the North Mountain in Kingston, Nova Scotia. The North Mountian runs along the beautiful coast of the Bay of Fundy and the vibrant, small farming communities in the Annapolis Valley. Our facilities include a library, lecture hall, organic gardens, a freestanding greenhouse and an attached solar greenhouse, plus a kitchen and dining hall located in the farmhouse. Classes will be held on the farm and/or at the Community Hall down the road. Accomodations Participants are encouraged to establish a group camping site which will create the ambience for an intimate educational community. Housing can also be provided at a neighboring Youth Hostel or billets by special arrangement. A registered campground is also located nearby for anyone with a trailer to hook-up. Childcare Children are welcome on-site Parents who require childcare services can make arrangements in the community but should contact us prior to registering. Pets *Please* No pets. Summer Program Tuition and Fees Permaculture Design Course Tuition: Tuition for the course is $750 to $675 self-set sliding scale. This includes instruction, meals, curriculum materials, campsite and use of facilities. A $100.00 dollar deposit (non-refundable) is required with registration. The remainder is due on or before July 2, 1995. Single day attendence is possible at $60.00 per day. Participants will be sent an information packet upon registration. Course will be limited to 35 participants. Restoration Ecology: Reconstructing Sustainable Communities (July 20-24) $300.00 +(optional meals) Coming Home:Awakening Community Resourcefulness (July 28-30) $180.00 +(optional meals) Hands-on, Homemade Power and Energy Conservation (July 31-Aug 3) $240.00 +(optional meals) Spirit of the Region: Celebrating Nature, Culture, and Community (August 4-6) $180.00 + (optional meals) All 4 weeks (July 2-August 6) $1500.00 (includes meals during permaculture course) Meal Option: Three tasty meals, featuring organically grown food will be served each day. The fees for the permaculture course include meals. (Because of the intensity of the schedule there will not be enough breaks to prepare your own meals.) For other courses, the meal program is optional at $10.00 per day. If you choose to cook your own meals you must supply an approved camp stove. No open campfires are allowed. Billets Participants who do not wish to camp out can make special arrangement to billet nearby @ $20.00 per night. Local motels are also available. Course fees for USA Residents Permaculture Design Course: Cdn. $650.00 before May 1. $750.00 after May 1. At current rates of exchange this is less than US$450.00 before May 1 and $525.00 after. An excellent value for a course of this quality. Registration Form Name__________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Phone_________________________________________________________ ____ I will campout. ____ I wish to billet @ $20/night ____ Please send me a listing of campgrounds and motels. ____ Enclosed is my non-refundable deposit of $100.00. ____ Enclosed is my entire tuition plus 7% GST*. Make payment by certified bank cheque or money order payable to: Institute for Bioregional Studies. ____ You may release my name and phone number to other course participants for carpooling purposes. ____ I can offer a ride. ____ I need a ride. Special dietary requests: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ * Residents from outside of Canada will receive a full refund of the GST from Revenue Canada when they leave Canada. -- Phil Ferraro, Director Institute for Bioregional Studies 449 University Avenue Suite 126 "Developing Local Solutions to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Global Problems" Canada C1A 8K3 (902) 892-9578 From 71042.2023@compuserve.comSun Feb 11 15:18:41 1996 Date: 11 Feb 96 10:54:51 EST From: Bill Duesing <71042.2023@compuserve.com> To: Almanac Information Server Subject: Re: Is Organic Enough? The following article first appeared in the Winter 1995-96 issue of The Natural Farmer, the quarterly newspaper of The Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA). It might stimulate some interesting discussion on sanet-mg. Feedback from NOFA members has been positive. The Natural Farmer is available with membership in NOFA, or for $10 per year from TNF, NOFA, 411 Sheldon Rd., Barre, MA 01005.(jackkitt@aol.com) Is Organic Enough? by Bill Duesing, C 1995, Bill Duesing, Solar Farm Education, 71042.2023@compuserve.com NOFA and its members have spent over two decades promoting organic agriculture, and learning how to practice it in this region. We have seen organic agriculture grow from being ridiculed by the agricultural and food establishment to being nearly mainstream. We know that a shift to organic agriculture is essential for the long term health of people, the soil and the Earth. But is organic, even certified organic, enough? In the early days of NOFA, before organic agriculture was codified in certification standards and widely recognized, the idea of "Organic Farming" meant many different things to different people. Its lack of specific definition allowed many of us to associate it with certain important characteristics of scale, locality, control, knowledge, nutrition, social justice, participation, grower/eater relationships and the connections with schools and communities. Anyone who attends a few workshops at almost any NOFA conference understands these characteristics. The "implied or hidden curriculum" of small scale, local eating, good nutrition, connection to community and consistency with social and environmental justice has been and still is very evident. Proper soil care and avoidence of toxic and synthetic chemicals are just part of what NOFA has seemed to represent for over 20 years. These desirable food system characteristics seem threatened as the definition of organic farming and food is narrowed to a set of standards which deal with growing and processing methods exclusively, and is acceptable to the food industry and government. It seems that in many ways organic food is slipping right into some of the most destructive patterns of the conventional, globally-destructive food system. The new giant, energy-intensive supermarket in a wealthy suburb nearby recently had a full page ad for organic produce in its weekly flyer. It prominately featured organic seedless grapes, which are currently in great excess in California. The peppermint tea sold at the NOFA Summer Conference was certified organic and imported from Chile. Peppermint! A recent issue of Organic Food Business News (OFBN) reported that representatives of Dole, a multinational food corporation which has caused much political, social and environmental damage in Central America and elsewhere, brought growers from Argentina to this country so they could learn organic techniques and grow certified organic garlic and other vegetables in Argentina for export to the U.S. Other corporate food giants are buying into the organic food business. Pepperidge Farm Bakery in Connecticut called to see about certification. General Mills is milling organic grains. And of course, because the USDA is getting increasingly involved, there will be higher fees for organic certification. Meanwhile, the conventional farmers just go about their thing, moving smoothly to the marketplace, especially if they are very large. Farms, input suppliers, distributors and retailers all are becoming larger with more concentrated control. OFBN and The New York Times have carried stories about pesticide contamination of organic food -bananas from Central America, for example. It seems either nearly impossible, and/or very expensive, to assure freedom from chemical contamination, especially when there are thousands of miles between the grower and the eater, and while the world is still flooded with toxic pesticides and other detrimental substances. The transportation itself contaminates the produce and the rest of the world. While this expense may seem a pittance for well-to-do folks who spend only a small percentage of their income on food, it is significant for the growing number of people, especially in the cities, who are struggling to obtain the necessities of life. It is also expensive taxpayers who pay for school lunches and food stamps. Some local organic growers make up for any energy savings in transportation from distant farms by using lots of plastic and energy intensive greenhouses, irrigation and indoor growing systems. In some cases the "plastic to produce" ratio is very high. John Jeavons says that many of the large organic farms in his part of northern California are even less sustainable than some conventional farms. These energy -intensive organic growers fertilize their crops with manure from very large dairy operations in southern California* which feed their cows grain grown in the midwest. If the produce is then shipped to the east coast, it's not hard to imagine that, looking at energy use and its polluting effects, one could conclude that those same vegetables, grown locally with conventional fertilizer might be better for the planet. Since food is energy - our energy source - energy considerations are very important in any evaluation of the long term sustainability of our food system. To power a human being for twenty four hours takes the energy equivilent of about a cup of gasoline. The amount of fossil and nuclear energy it takes to deliver that food energy in the current system is enormous, often the equivalent of two gallons of gasoline are used to provide a cupful's worth of food energy. The global food system is rapidly increasing its energy use through such practices as building four new McDonalds every day for years at a time, selling Coke, Pepsi, Budweiser, Miller et al in aluminum cans in India, Mexico,Vietnam and China, genetically engineering a new strain of seeds for each year's crop and by erecting new, enormous, capital-and energy-intensive animal factories and food processing facilities. For our long term survival, it is important to measure efficiency according to the second law of thermodynamics (which describes energy's one-way flow toward uselessness). By this important standard, the food we grow in gardens and local small farms, especially if hand tended, is nearly infinitely more efficient than that delivered by the conventional food system. The rapidly-evolving corporate food system will probably be glad to deliver organic food to upscale consumers. And why not? The higher prices will mean higher profits. The energy-intensive, distant, large scale, corporate-controlled global food distribution system doesn't provide decent work, good nutrition, wholesome flavor, or knowledge. It will be happy to offer organic as an option, and will keep working to increase its share of our food dollars. ( Currently 78 cents of each dollar spent on food in the U. S. is taken by those who buy from the growers and sell to the eaters. And, the middlemen's take is increasing steadily.) For sure, in the short run, our nutrient and energy needs can be met with food from far away, but what about our other needs. For most of human history, gathering, growing, preparing and eating food has been an important and central activity. It provided useful work for the majority of people, a context for relating to ecosystems, and education in the processes of nature. If the organic food system falls into the same patterns of scale, distance and control as the conventional food system, human beings will have very little work to do as the scale of operations in increased, and as production is moved to regions with the lowest labor, land and energy costs. We will lose our connection to the natural processes and knowledge upon which we depend for our survival. With genetically engineered plants, animals and hormones we've seen that the larger the entity that produces or markets our food is, the less democratic control we have over its actions or products. It is clear to me, that if we are to have any hope of creating an ecological food system, with anything like democratic control, that food system has to be local and organic. We vote for the food system of the future with our actions and our money. If we understand what is really important about it, we will grow and eat more of our own and give less money to those who profit from economies of scale and by distancing us from our most important connection to the envrionment-the food we eat. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- *Organic farms are being targeted as the disposal sites for otherwise unwanted manure from conventional farms. I've had quite a few calls from Texas and other far-away places offering "organic fertilizer" - really composted steer manure - to NOFA farmers. A letter from Brazil asked if we were interested in worm compost produce by small-scale enterprises there. Just this week I got a letter from the Philipines offering cocopeat, made from coconut hulls, and tauted as a mulch, soil conditioner and a subsitute for peat moss. A second-law efficiency check on any of these, shows a very inefficient system. From hank@netcom.com Mon Jan 16 21:18:58 EST 1995 Article: 491 of rec.ponds Newsgroups: rec.ponds,alt.energy.renewable Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!ix.netcom.com!netcom.com!hank From: hank@netcom.com (Hank Roberts) Subject: Re: Info on the New Alchemist Institute Message-ID: Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest) References: Date: Mon, 16 Jan 1995 19:10:08 GMT Lines: 25 Xref: bigblue.oit.unc.edu rec.ponds:491 alt.energy.renewable:4164 jwasson@eznet.net (Jason Wasson) writes: >Last Saturday I saw an old 16mm film from '74 about a group called the New >Alchemist Institute. This group is/was located in Vermont. They were >building a model farm that utilized organic farming techniques along with >alternative energy production. Some of the things they did envolved >raising their own fish and building their own windmills. >I was wondering if anybody new if this group is still around and if so, do >you have their address? Thanks alot. >-Jason Wasson >-- >jwasson@eznet.net >Live Simply, So Others Can Simply Live John Todd moved on to Ocean Arks: 1 Locust Street, Salmus, MA 02546 508-540-6801; wastewater/solar aquaculture (Info from the Millenium Whole Earth Catalog, which has no mention of Todd or New Alchemy at all in the index; articles some years ago in Whole Earth Review about Ocean Arks might be worth looking up in your local library/interlibrary loan) From wbw@shore.net Tue Jan 17 10:09:57 EST 1995 Article: 499 of rec.ponds Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!uwm.edu!lll-winken.llnl.gov!noc.near.net!shore.shore.net!shore.shore.net!not-for-mail From: wbw@shore.net (William B. Warren) Newsgroups: rec.ponds,alt.energy.renewable Subject: Re: Info on the New Alchemist Institute Date: 17 Jan 1995 08:27:05 -0500 Organization: North Shore Access; a service of Eco Software, Inc. Lines: 27 Message-ID: <3fggj9$i40@shore.shore.net> References: NNTP-Posting-Host: shore.shore.net Xref: bigblue.oit.unc.edu rec.ponds:499 alt.energy.renewable:4172 In article , Jason Wasson wrote: >Last Saturday I saw an old 16mm film from '74 about a group called the New >Alchemist Institute. This group is/was located in Vermont. They were >building a model farm that utilized organic farming techniques along with >alternative energy production. Some of the things they did envolved >raising their own fish and building their own windmills. > >I was wondering if anybody new if this group is still around and if so, do >you have their address? Thanks alot. > >-Jason Wasson >-- >jwasson@eznet.net > >Live Simply, So Others Can Simply Live Jason, The New Alchemists actually started in Woods Hole, MA. They may or may not still be together, if they are I believe they've moved...(to Vt. perhaps?) The founders of the group, Drs. John and Nancy Todd now run Ocean Arks Intl. 1 Locust Street, Falmouth, MA. 02540 phone:(508)540-6801. They are involved primarily (if not exclusively) in bioremediation. They run several biological wastewater treatment facilities- one in Providence, RI another's in Harwich, MA. Good Luck! Will From en767@cleveland.Freenet.Edu Wed Jan 18 23:30:44 EST 1995 Article: 521 of rec.ponds Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!cleveland.Freenet.Edu!en767 From: en767@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Gerald W. Roe) Newsgroups: rec.ponds,alt.energy.renewable Subject: Re: Info on the New Alchemist Institute Date: 18 Jan 1995 09:07:40 GMT Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA) Lines: 12 Message-ID: <3filot$ak8@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: nextsun.ins.cwru.edu Xref: bigblue.oit.unc.edu rec.ponds:521 alt.energy.renewable:4188 I don't know whether The New Alchemy Institute is still extant, but the most recent address I have for them is 237 Hatchville Rd. Falmouth, MA 02536. If this doesn't work, try looking up the scientific papers of John Todd. Their book *The Book of the New Alchemists* was published by E.P. Dutton in 1977. Whether they fully succeeded or not is irrelevant; they did good science and had inspiring ideas. -- Trans-Pacific Nursery Rare and Exotic Plants Email catalog available Timber Press books discounted From devo0009@gold.tc.umn.edu Fri Dec 29 10:12:59 EST 1995 Article: 9888 of alt.sustainable.agriculture Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!oit-mail2news-gateway From: devo0009@gold.tc.umn.edu (Brian DeVore, LSP) Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture Subject: Nov/Dec Land Stewardship Letter Date: 28 Dec 1995 17:04:52 -0000 Organization: sustag-public mailing list Lines: 37 Sender: daemon@bigblue.oit.unc.edu Distribution: world Message-ID: <30e2af71076d002@gold.tc.umn.edu> Reply-To: "Brian DeVore, LSP" NNTP-Posting-Host: bigblue.oit.unc.edu Complimentary copies of the Land Stewardship Letter are available by contacting: Rebecca Schon Kilde, Land Stewardship Project, 2200 4th St., White Bear Lake, MN 55110. Members of the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) receive the newsletter as a benefit. Annual membership dies are $30.LSP is a private, nonprofit organization. The mission of LSP is to foster an ethic of stewardship for farmland, to promote sustainable agriculture and to develop sustainable communities. The Nov/Dec issue of the Land Stewardship Letter includes: 1) "When the Market has no Hidden Price Tags," a feature on the importance of creating a sustainable marketing system. 2) "A United Marketing Stand," a commentary by farmer and LSP board member Paul Homme discussing ways of developing individual marketing successes into an overall sustainable marketing strategy. 3) News items on studies related to hog odors, impact of larger farms on main street businesses,the spending habits of a CSA farm and the hidden costs of urban sprawl. 4) Farm bill legislative update. 5) An update on LSP's 1000 Friends of Minnesota program. 6) "Locking in local markets," a feature on how local meat lockers can serve as allies for farmers trying to market beef, pork and lamb directly. 7) A review of the book, "Make No Small Plans: A Cooperative Revival For Rural America," by Lee Egerstrom. 8) The latest resources, opportunities and calendar events. From lkpaine@facstaff.wisc.eduSat Jan 13 19:02:25 1996 Date: Thu, 11 Jan 1996 14:10:19 -0600 From: "Laura K. Paine" To: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Cc: "Norman A.Gundersheim" Subject: Re: Holistic resource management At 12:19 PM 1/11/96 -0500, you wrote: >To all, > I recently found out about a group, that started in the Mid West, >that goes around giving workshops on HRM Holistic Resource >Management(sounds good). What is it and does anyone out there have any experience with HRM? Where can I get more info on it? Thanks up front >Norm Norm, The group that does the holistic resource management workshops is the Land Stewardship Project in Minnesota. I recently attended an introductory workshop for agency people. Here's what I came away with: The idea behind it is simple, but very important. It is that sustainable management requires that you take into consideration the whole big picture all the resources available to you (not only your assets, livestock, and equipment, but soil quality, clean water, etc., as well as intangibles like creativity, skills and education)--and make decisions accordingly, in conjuction with all the people who are involved/affected (all family members, employees, the bank, the milk plant, etc). Holistic resource management is a way of setting goals for your whole life, not just your farm business, and then acheiving those goals by making short-term choices that fit with your long-term goals. That's kind of a simplified explanation and I encourage others who might be more familiar with the program to add their thoughts. You can reach the Land Stewardship Project at the following address: George Boody Land Stewardship Project 2200 4th Street White Bear Lake, MN 55110 Phone: 612/653-0618 Email: boody002@gold.tc.umn.edu Kindest Regards, Laura Paine UW Agronomy t€ .€ .. | Permaculture-Connection t,#miscellaneous-permaculture-writings t‚ permaculture.defined tƒ|*Permaculture-Connection-Newsletter.missionFrom steved@ncatfyv.uark.eduFri Mar 17 14:54:38 1995 Date: Fri, 17 Mar 1995 12:49:50 -0600 (CST) From: Steve Diver To: hansm001@maroon.tc.umn.edu Cc: sanet-mg@wolf.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: Humus > This is a very interesting debate. In thinking about and discussing soil > quality, organic matter is usually mentioned within the research circles. > And discussion is ongoing as to which portion of the soil organic matter > reactes (changes up or down) in a grant oriented reseach time scale. That > which seems to be lacking in the discusion is the role of microbes. > Including the types of microbes and how to foster there existence. Siegfried Luebke is a microbiologist and much of their work is based on the role of microbes in soils. They've released a video titled "Microbial Life in the Soil" that includes incredible micro-photography of the clay-humus crumb. One analogy is that of a beautiful cave-like structure with "lots" of surface area due to the undulations on the stalagmites. [Incidentally, the WSAA in asssociation with MOA released a video titled "Life in the Soil" that has a similar focus; i.e., poorly managed soils and healthy soils compared via micro-photography]. In related work, the Luebkes prepared microscopic slides dyed with acrodyne orange and flouresced under UV light to show the presence of microbes in soils and composts managed appropriately. The chroma test and buffered pH test are other indicators of microbial activity. > I find > it amazing the the Luebkes were able to increase there organic matter > levels 13% over only 10 years. If I have understood the claims, this > was accomplished on a farm scale, using that carbon which available > specifically from the Luebke farm. I guess I am asking if the Luebkes > needed to import Carbon from other sources? The Luebkes run an organic dairy sheep and vegetable farm. Their forage-based rotation (alfalfa-grass mix) is important for both the sheep (which provide animal manure to compost), and as a source of green chop for use in compost. The third compost ingredient needed is either farm-produced straw, or alternatively, municipal yard waste like wood chips and tree trimmings. This municipal yard waste is highly valued by compost-making farmers in Europe. > Which gets into further debate > as to whether enough carbon exists within the current system to allow all > of agriculture to increase the OM to healthy levels, 5% or so. It is my impression the microbial inoculants play a major role in building the %O.M. and humus levels to these levels. Dr. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer was instrumental in introducing the practice of microbially inoculating green manures at plowdown. The B.D. Field Starter he devised (and is still available through The Pfeiffer Foundation in New York) contained 55 different types of microbes. The Luebkes have since modified the original recipe, which they initially obtained years ago. Instead of a standard 3-4 week green manure waiting period, the Luebkes are planting back into digested residues within a few days. Does this have implications for grain farming in regions where leguminous green manures are frowned upon becasue they put on N too late in the spring and therefore corn planting is delayed beyond the preferred soil moisture period as a result of lag time for green manure breakdown? > The > Thompsons from Iowa have made arrangments with the local village to use the > carbon, in the form of organic waste, as a cost effective amendment to > their soil. Would all farmers need to compete for these contracts, or > could the carbon be produced on-farm. > -- > Thomas Hansmeyer > St. Paul MN > hansm001@maroon.tc.umn.edu Veganic compost comes to mind as one solution. First, put up a stock of hay or straw. Next growing season, make green chop from a pasture or cover crop and then build a compost pile using chopped, stored dry fodder. A small amount of soil or finished compost would be an important amendment. Veganic compost was described by Daziel O'Brien in "Intensive Gardening." Animal manures, on the other hand, seem to be a vital component of good quality compost, however, so without first-hand experience or research, I wonder how veganic compost would compare. Good questions! Perhaps each day we sprout a new bud or fill out a finely-divided leafy branch on the "Sanet Sustainable Agriculture Learning Tree" Steve Diver Fayetteville, AR From steved@ncatfyv.uark.eduFri Mar 17 00:06:15 1995 Date: Wed, 15 Mar 1995 16:51:46 -0600 (CST) From: Steve Diver To: sanet-mg@wolf.ces.ncsu.edu, sustag-public@wolf.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: BIO-CONTROL MATTERS-> Humus Abstract: Response to post about the role of humus in Nature Farming and S.A. Keywords: humus, microbes, Nature Farming, the Luebke method, soil test Jim McNelly, I saw your posting (below) on sustag-public concerning the concept of humus as the basis for sustainable agriculture as versus designer microbes, companion planting, etc. [Sustag-public is a gateway for Usenet news to be posted on an Internet mailing list, and vice versa]. Thanks for bringing this issue to light. A couple of comments: Firstly, it was revealed on sanet-mg that the NatureFarm posting was a working draft by folks associated with this project. It was posted onto sanet-mg by a third party without prior notice or approval from the authors. Secondly, here are my two cents on the matter of humus in Nature Farming and S.A.: In the 1994 Proceedings of the Oklahoma Horticulture Industries Show, I compared Nature Farming, traditional organic farming, biodynamic farming, and Reams biological farming as viable sustainable farming 'methods' that conventional veggie growers may want to adopt during a transition to low-input sustainable agriculture. Here is an excerpt on Nature Farming: "Nature Farming was developed in Japan in the 1930s by Mokichi Okada, who later formed the Mokichi Okada Association (MOA). Nature Farming parallels organic farming in many ways but includes special emphasis on soil health through composts rather than organic fertilizers, when possible. Kyusei Nature Farming, a branch group, emphasizes use of microbial preparations in addition to traditional Nature Farming. Nature Farming is most active in the Pacific rim, including California and Hawaii." "Since the late 1980s, Nature Farming has gained wider recognition in the United States through the coordinated efforts of MOA and the Rodale Institute in the formation of the World Sustainable Agriculture Association (WSAA). The WSAA and MOA sponsor annual conferences on Nature Farming and sustainable agriculture. Kyusei Nature Farming conducts on-farm research in California." One MOA worker in Hawaii explained that in fact they even make special composts for different purposes. Thus, in terms of how the foundation of Nature Farming is laid, it appears that humus indeed forms the basis of production. Likewise, while not being familiar with all the particulars of Effective Microorganisms (EM) used in Nature Farming, on viewing the number of research papers available through Kyusei Nature Farming that deal specifically with microbes, it appears that these microbial additions to soils are important also for the role they play in the formation of humus. All of this stuff on humus is important, just as is the advanced work being done on biological controls by Dietrick, Grossman, BIRC, Kyusei Nature Farming, etc. More on humus, the Luebke influence: The Luebke farm family of Austria have infused a reawakening amongst farmers and landgrant workers as to the importance of humus through their seminars and conference appearances. The Luebkes teach a 3-day seminar on humus management, and a 4-day seminar on Controlled Microbial Composting (CMC). The Luebke system is based on the use of forage- and covercrop-based crop rotations, green manures microbially incoculated at plowdown, CMC compost prepared with microbial inoculants and rock dusts, and proper tillage (spade plow). Whether a farmer is financially capable of purchasing a Sandberger compost turner and adopting the whole CMC compost preparation method is secondary to the fact that they come away with a deeper understanding of the vital role soil microbes play in the formation of the clay-humus crumb, and how they can manage their soils to increase this effect. For example, the Luebkes improved a clay soil on their farm from 2% O.M. to 15% O.M. in a ten year period using humus management techniques. Most interesting to me as a farm advisor and sanet participant, are the soil health evaluation procedures the Luebkes employ. These include percent O.M., the colorimetric humus test, the circular chromatography test, and the buffered pH test. One of these in particular, the colorimetric humus test, has merit for wider adoption, and indeed has already been adopted by several commercial soils labs in the U.S. after it was re-introduced by the Luebkes. In fact, this method was developed in the U.S. decades ago but fell out of usage. The colorimetric humus test is done by extracting a soil or compost sample with a weal alkali solution (sodium hydroxide), filtering the solute, and then comparing the color of the extract against a colorimetric scale of standardized liquid-filled test tubes. The result is a relative number from 0-100. The idea behind this test is that it gives an indication of the degree and amount to which organic matter in soil has entered a humified state. When the humus number is compared against percent O.M., it provides a ratio that can be evaluated. Ideally, the ratio will be 1 part O.M. to 3 parts humus. Too little or too high humus readings provide an indication of a soil out of balance. This test is especially insightful in combination with the chroma and buffered pH test. In one instance, it was apparent the soil was constipated...plenty of soil humus, but no microbial activity to make the goodies available through mineralization. At the very least, it demonstrates that sustainable farmers are getting useful information about the condition of their soils via other methods of soil evaluation in addition to or as an alternative to standard university soils tests. So, McNelly, you have a good point and I think farmers, landgrant workers, and s.a. advocates should be thinking about humus. That's why I've summarized these few ideas and post them here for others to 'mull' over. :-) Steve Diver steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu Jim McNelly wrote: > After a long and informative note on Naturfarm, I was surprised to find > no reference concerning the organic matter concentration in the soil. > Is this typical of many of the new generation of sustainable farmers? > > Forage and dairy farmers I have met at sustainable ag conferences speak > longingly about organic matter levels, and how to import organics from > off farm to build up soils to native levels around 7% humus, or at least > to a more sustainable level around 3% to 5%, > > If I read many of the early proponents of both organic and sustainable > farming correctly, compost, humus, and natural ecosystems were stressed > over other influences such as pest control, disease suppression, > watering and so forth. The (older?) model held that if the soil was > improved, other values would follow. Perhaps it is just me, but does it > not seem that more and more farmers on the sustainable front are talking > about companion planting, beneficial insects, designer microbes, drip > irrigation and other techniques. .....................Stuff Deleted................................ > This is not to put down such practices, but more to make the observation > that these efforts might be considered to be a substitute for humus and > organic matter. > > Does anyone else think that organic matter levels in the soil are being > neglected in much of the sustainable agriculture discussion? > > Mr Compost~~~ > Affordable In-vessel Composting > PO Box 7444 > Saint Cloud, MN 56302 > > Jim~ McNelly > jim.mcnelly@granite.mn.org > > > * RM 1.3 02460 * A bird in the hand craps on the wrist. > > ------------------============<>=============----------------- > Granite City Connection (612) 654-8372 28.8K 3 Lines > Email: jim.mcnelly@granite.mn.org (Jim Mcnelly) > ------------------============<>=============----------------- From 0007123399@mcimail.comWed Sep 13 18:24:04 1995 Date: Wed, 13 Sep 95 15:48 EST From: Ilse Ackerman <0007123399@mcimail.com> Long Branch Environmental Education Center in Leicester, NC (north of Asheville) is on a beautiful site in the Newfound Mountains, with permaculture, aquaculture, orchards, and edible landscaping on part of large forested land trust. The P.O. Box in Leicester, if I remember correctly, is 369, or you could call information for the telephone number. It's run by Paul Gallimore, he can probably put you in contact with other sites as well. Ask to make sure the gardens are in use this year -- the summer I was there they were on hold while we built a micro hydropower system for the center. Ilse Ackerman From london@calypso-2.oit.unc.eduWed Sep 6 11:18:17 1995 Date: Wed, 6 Sep 1995 11:17:10 -0400 (EDT) From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." To: permaculture-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: lists re Mexico (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- On Tue, 5 Sep 1995, Daniela Soleri wrote: > Could anyone suggest any lists that focus on contemporary Mexico, > especially concerned with traditional agriculture, or natural resources, > or plant population biology? > > Daniela Soleri > SOLERI@LIFESCI.LSCF.UCSB.EDU > Arid Lands Resource Sciences Program > University of Arizona Dear Daniela I was intrigued by the above message since I was about to ask something similar myself. I would be interested to know the exact nature of your request. Mine has to do with agricultural systems in Mexico, particularly as regards 'alternatives' ( and I recognize that for many people, these are not 'alternatives' as understood in the Western, industrialized context) to the Green Revolution maize package that were developed by the Rockefeller Foundation/Mexican Govt funded Officina de Estudios Especiales (which later evolved into CIMMYT). For your information, I have some references but would appreciate any others, particularly if they contain information concerning species diversity, intraspecific diversity, production etc. Here's what I have to hand at the moment: Edgar Anderson 'Plants Man and Life' (it was Anderson, at Missouri, to whom Carl Sauer sent seed varieties from Mexico after he became interested in crop domestication and cultivation in Mexico). Clawson and Hoy (1979) 'Nealtican, Mexico: A peasant community that rejected the 'Green Revolution''. Amer. J. Econ. Soc. 38, 371-87 Vogt, E.Z. (1970) The Zincantecos of Mexico. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston Brush et al (1988) Agricultural Development and Maize Divesrity in Mexico' Human Ecology 16 (3) 307-28 De Walt (1978) Appropriate Technollogy in Rural Mexico. Technology and Culture 19 (1) 32-52 Morales (1984) Chinampas and Integrated Farms: Learning from the Rural Traditional Experience in de Castri et al (eds) 'Ecology in Practice, Vol. 1 Ecosystem Management, pp. 188-95, Tycooly, Dublin. Francis and Sanders (1978) Economic Analysis of Bean and Maize Systems: Monoculture Versus Associated Cropping, Field Crops Research (1) 319-55. Bellon-Corales (1991) The ethnoecology of maize production under technological change: A case study from Mexico. Human Ecology 11, 47-68 Alcorn and Trujillo (1987) the Agroecology of Corn Production in Tlaxcala, Mexico. Human Ecology 15 (2) 189-220. In additon to the above, Ron Nigh wrote an excellent Ph.D. thesis some time in the 70s. I don't know if he is still living in San Cristobal, Chiapas where I met him two years ago. Luis Garcia-Barrios, who at that time was working at the Centro de Investigaciones Ecologicas de Sureste (I apologise for my poor written Spanish) in Chiapas, has written a few articles suggesting that traditional agricultural practices are less destructive than modern ones, focusing I think on Oaxaca. One of these is in the 1990 No 11 issue of World Development, another was in Spanish in Commercio Exterior - I forget the year. He was working at the time on a Ph.D. concerning intercropping. Alcorn has written a book of her work the title of which I forget. I think there are a few articles on Mexican agriculture in the volume edited by Gleissman (1990 I think) entitled simply 'Agroecology' and published by Springer-Verrr... One is on forest gardens, another on intercropping maize squash and beans, another on Chinampas ( I think). A book edited by Teresa Rojas entitled Agricultura en Tierras Mexicanas desde ... hace nuevos tiempos has chapters on crop domestication through to modern agricultural situation but some of the chapters are more political economy that technical. Also, the owrk of E. Hernandez X. is worth checking up on. I don't have his refernces to hand, but he was the acknowledged expert on races of maize before his death a short while ago. I've read most, but not all, of the above so hope there are not too many problems regarding their relevance. I'd welcome any additions. Perhaps Daniela or I could post a complete biblio at the end if that's considered useful. Thanks in advance for any help. Dominic Hogg, University of Cambridge. From soleri@lifesci.lscf.ucsb.eduThu Sep 7 23:06:44 1995 Date: Thu, 7 Sep 95 16:33:24 PDT From: Daniela Soleri Reply to: indknow@u.washington.edu To: indknow@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: lists re Mexico Dominic: Thanks for your note and copying your message to Thurston to me. I should have been more explicit in my initial message, as I was trying to find some email lists-----however, lists of relevant references are useful too! Your work sounds interesting, and appears to have some overlap with my interests. I will be starting field work in May regarding farmer management and genetic structure of maize folk varieties in an area near Mexico City. I'm looking at this from the perspective of understanding the genetic consequences of farmer management AND testing methods of assessing genetic structure and farmer practices with the goal of supporting/collaborating with farmers in local crop improvement for their own agricultural systems. From what I know there is not much good empirically-based work regarding diversity and traditional agriculture, although it is widely recognized to generally be more diverse than the industrial'model'. But for intraspecific diversity there ain't much relevant research to go on, Soleri & Smith 1995 Econ. Bot. 49:55-77 was a beginning effort in some senses. As for interspecific diversity there are an increasing number of studies that count farmer-named varieties (Brush's stuff, P. Richards, J.V. Dennis, M. Bellon, Soleri and Cleveland), which is a good start, however the relationship between named varieties and biologically distinct ones is not known. An article in BioScience Dec 1994, Cleveland et al., may be of interest for the crop variety angle of your work. I assume you have spoken with Paul Richards at University of London. Although he works in different areas, he has thought a lot about the inappropriateness of the green revolution for traditional agricultural systems. Hope some of this was useful, your ref list was useful to me---thanks! Let me know how your work progresses. Best wishes, Daniela Soleri Daniela Soleri SOLERI@LIFESCI.LSCF.UCSB.EDU Arid Lands Resource Sciences Program University of Arizona P.O. Box 12898 phone/FAX*: (805)562-6126 Santa Barbara, CA 93107 USA *call to notify before sending a FAX From rlatham@mail2.sas.upenn.edu Mon Nov 28 15:07:07 EST 1994 Article: 221 of bionet.biology.n2-fixation Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!news.moneng.mei.com!uwm.edu!psuvax1!news.cc.swarthmore.edu!netnews.upenn.edu!mail2.sas.upenn.edu!rlatham From: rlatham@mail2.sas.upenn.edu (Roger Latham) Newsgroups: bionet.biology.n2-fixation Subject: N fixation, soil acidity & vegetation type Date: 28 Nov 1994 17:30:54 GMT Organization: University of Pennsylvania Lines: 22 Message-ID: <3bd44e$ll8@netnews.upenn.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: mail2.sas.upenn.edu X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2-upenn1.1] I'm looking for comparative data on nitrogen-fixation rates per hectare (by all fixers, free-living and symbiotic) among different natural vegetation types. Specifically, I want to see data relating ecosystem N-fixation rates to variation in soil acidity and soil organic matter. A comparison of N-fixation rates among upland heaths, upland conifer forests, oak forests, and upland non-oak hardwood forests would be especially useful. If textbooks deal with the relationship between N fixation and soil acidity at all, it's usually by mentioning the pH tolerances of N fixers. For example, Beijerinckia are said to fix from pH 3 to 9, Azotobacter, above pH 6, Rhizobium with legumes, above pH 5, etc. But I'm looking for a comparizon of integrated fixation rates among vegetation types that differ in soil acidity and type of soil organic matter. References will be much appreciated. Roger Latham Department of Geology, University of Pennsylvania rlatham@sas.upenn.edu From steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu Wed Jan 18 23:49:21 EST 1995 Article: 5109 of alt.sustainable.agriculture Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!oit-mail2news-gateway From: steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu (Steve Diver) Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture Subject: Re: urban agriculture Date: 18 Jan 1995 17:08:12 -0000 Organization: sustag-public mailing list Lines: 84 Sender: daemon@bigblue.oit.unc.edu Distribution: world Message-ID: References: NNTP-Posting-Host: bigblue.oit.unc.edu Content-Type: text Emily, Here's something of interest to you and others on sanet-mg related to urban forestry/agroforestry et al. At the Agroforestry and Sustainable Systems Symposium in Ft. Collins, CO, last August, there were two presentations of special note. 1. The National Arbor Day Foundation has put together--in cooperation with USDA Agencies like SCS & Extension Service-- an excellent illustrated brochure and accompanying 80-slide set on "Conservation Trees-For Your Farm, Family & Future." The slide set is only $25 and a case of 600 brochures is $60. I highly recommend these. Topics covered include: Riparian Filter Strips Wildlife Habitat Field Windbreaks Farmstead Windbreaks Living Snow Fences Trees for Livestock Tree Plantations Alley Cropping Specialty Crops Trees for Recreations Areas Woodlot Management Multi-Purpose Plantings Contact: National Arbor Day Foundation 211 North 12th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 2. An urban forestry program known as "Working Trees for Communities" was developed by the USDA Urban Forestry program. Jerry Bratton was the chief person sponsoring it. One of their slogos was "Trees willing to work for room and board." Like the Arbor Day stuff, USDA has a set of excellent slides and materials to support this educational program. They are promoting it to youth groups within municipalities to pick it up and make it happen. This program is known as PAT/HAK, or "Plant a Tree, Help a Kid." It is being done in cooperation with local SCS and Extension workers, who provide on-site advice. I don't have a contact. Topics include: Working Trees (WT) WT for Sewage Treatment WT for Community Windbreaks WT for Shopping & Business Centers WT for Industrial Sites WT for Protecting Schools & Churches WT for Community Living Snow Fences WT for Recreation Protection WT for Erosion Control WT for Protecting Emergency Routes WT for Energy Conservation WT for Screening & Noise Control WT for Wildlife & Habitat Protection BTW, the proceedings of the Symposium will be published by the Rocky Mtn. Forestry and Range Experiment Station in 1995. There is plenty of vital stuff going on in agroforestry, an important component of sustainable agriculture. Also, the permaculture literature has some of the most cutting edge stuff in relation to integrating multi-purpose annual and perennial plants into built environments. Steve Diver steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu > To whom it may concern: > I am seeking information on projects involving agricutural food > production and forestry in urban environments. I am interested in past > and current projects going on in this country and abroad. I am also > interested in any discussions of the social and environmental > ramifications of urban agriculture. > Thanks, Emily Kellert > egkF94@hamp.hampshire.edu NC Permaculture People ---------------------- Harvey Harmon Bear Creek Sustenance Farm 1-919-837-5805 NC mountains: - Lee Barnes Chuck Marsh Peter Bane Lawrence London Chapel Hill NC Venaura Farm 1-919-942-1114 Charlie Headington Earth Guild Greensboro NC 1-910-427-5503 Erik Hill Rockhill Farm Madison, NC 1-910-273-7292 ------------------------------------------------------- Lawrence F. London, Jr. - london@sunSITE.unc.edu http://sunSITE.unc.edu/london/Information_By_Topic.html http://sunSITE.unc.edu/london/permaculture.html ------------------------------------------------------- From 71042.2023@compuserve.comMon Feb 12 11:49:08 1996 Date: 12 Feb 96 09:09:12 EST From: Bill Duesing <71042.2023@compuserve.com> To: Almanac Information Server Subject: Re: Northeast Organic Calendar A calendar of Conferences sponsored by the state chapters of the Northeast Organic Farming Association and other organizations. February 16 Garlic: Perspectives and Possibilities with Dr. Phil Simon, a leader in varietal research and seed production, Geneva Experiment Station, Geneva, NY . 9am -noon. Contact the Garlic Press, 2079 Washburn Rd., Stanley, NY 14561, (716) 526-5779, evenings. 16 Continuing the Transition: Practical Solutions for Managing the Ecological Landscape, Boxborough, MA, Ecological Landscaping Association and UMass Extension. Contact M. L. Altobelli, (508) 874-1373. 17 NOFA/VT Winter Conference, Innovations in Organic Agriculture. Eliot Coleman, keynote speaker. Goddard College, Plainfield, VT. Contact NOFA/VT, Box 697, Richmond, VT 05477, (802) 434-4122 22-24 North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Conference, Saratoga `Springs, NY. tours Feb. 20-22. Contact (413) 527-6572. 23-25 1996 National CSA Conference, Capital, CSA, and Community Renewal, Kimberton, PA, Contact Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Assoc., Box 550, Kimberton, PA 19442, (800) 516-7797. 28-29 Farming for the Future, A Leadership Initiative For Community Agriculture Development, Cazenovia, NY. Contact Farming Alternatives Program, 423 Warren Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, (607) 255-9832. March 1 Deadline for mailing certification applications (See p. 2). 2 PACE Solar Home and Renewable Energy Tour and Environmental Exposition will visit five unique solar/energy efficient homes in the East Windsor-Ellington-Somers-Tolland area . Contact PACE, 101 Lawton Road, Canton, CT 06019-2209, (860) 693-4813. 9 NOFA/CT Winter Conference,Why Organic? The Link Between Food, Health, Community and Environment. Wethersfield, CT. Contact: NOFA/CT, Box 386, Northford, CT 06472, (203) 484-2445. 9 NOFA/NJ Winter Conference, Sustaining the Vision. Fred Kirschenmann, keynote speaker. Cook College, New Brunswick, NJ. Info, NOFA/NJ, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534, (609) 737- 6848 9-10 NOFA/NY Winter Conference, Celebrate Biodiversity, Tompkins/Cortland Community College, Dryden, NY. Info: NOFA/NY, Box 21, S. Butler, NY 13154, (315) 365-2299. 16-17 New England Environmental Conference at Tufts University, 177 College Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, (617) 627-3162 20 Connecticut Agriculture Day at the State Capitol. (203) 743-9249. NOFA/CT will be there. 23 PEAS (Providing Education through Agriculture for Students) Conference, Memorial School, Natick MA. Contact Amy Wales, Box 144, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370-0144. (413) 625-9720. From sals@rain.orgThu Mar 2 00:09:38 1995 Date: Wed, 1 Mar 1995 18:35:56 -0800 From: sal schettino To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Bio-Control Matters This is long so I will cut it but think its important:To: Deke >From: JOEL GROSSMAN, 937 6th St. #5, Santa Monica, CA 90403; 310/394-1233 The Biological Pest Control Transition Experience at NaturFarm authors = E.J. Dietrick, John Phillips, Joel Grossman After a year of fallowing land farmed conventionally with pesticides by a previous owner, NaturFarm adopted a sustainable organic pest control approach relying on natural biological control organisms to keep pests from destroying crops. Some cultural measures, such as cultivating ant nests and growing pest break strips, were adopted to enhance the natural biological pest control. However, widely-used organic pesticide substitutes like soaps, oils, Bacillus thuringiensis [BT] and botanicals were not part of the NaturFarm pest control paradigm because natural biological control organisms are the most sustainable form of pest control. This almost exclusive reliance on natural biological control organisms to provide sustainable organic pest control is rarely, if ever, attempted anymore. However, there have been times and places in California history where natural biological control organisms have provided all the pest control needed in major agroecosystems such as citrus, cotton and alfalfa. NaturFarm's pest control adviser on this biological control transition project, E.J. Dietrick, personally worked in these unsprayed agroecosystems teeming with natural biological control organisms while a researcher at the University of California and later in private practice with Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Inc. Indeed, E.J. Dietrick's vision and practical knowledge of natural biological pest control, gained from several decades of firsthand experience and research, guided NaturFarm in this pioneering and innovative transition towards natural biological control of vegetable pests that are routinely sprayed with pesticides by most other farmers around the world. The pest break strips at the heart of the NaturFarm transition to natural biological control are a specialized form of strip cropping. Pest break strips are designed both to trap pests away from the vegetable crops and to act as insectary crops for growing beneficial insects providing biological control of pests in the market crop of vegetables. The pest break strips at NaturFarm go beyond traditional strip crop design in another important way. NaturFarm uses special management practices known as strip cutting or strip harvesting to maximize the numbers of pests trapped and the quantities of natural enemies grown in the pest break strips. The strip cutting concept is rather simple. Only half the alfalfa or other cover crop is cut at any one time. At strip cutting time, half the alfalfa or other cover crop is flowering and ready to be cut, while the other half is young and lush. The young, lush uncut strips of alfalfa and other cover crops serve a dual role: first protecting the market crops by acting as trap crops catching pests moving out of the just-cut strips, but perhaps more importantly as insectary crops growing beneficial insects. Strip cutting for biological pest control was devised in 1956 by Evert I. Schlinger and Everett J. Dietrick as part of the University of California's statewide `war' against the spotted alfalfa aphid, a pest then causing $12 million per year in damage to alfalfa. Tiny wasps imported from the aphid's foreign homeland provided excellent biological control until the entire alfalfa field was cut and harvested. After the entire alfalfa stand was cut, the beneficials starved to death or flew away. Then in the absence of their natural enemies, the few remaining aphids exploded in numbers with the regrowth of the hay. The strip cutting concept was devised to keep beneficial insects in the fields as a defensive army of sorts, preventing population explosions of aphids and other pests from occurring in the new crop growth. Another major benefit of strip cutting further developed by other University of California researchers [Stern, van den Bosch & Leigh, 1964] is that the uncut portion of alfalfa acts as a trap crop for pests like Lygus bugs, preventing damage to cotton, strawberries and other nearby crops. Continuously cutting the pest break strip before seed set also prevents the alfalfa or legume cover crop from becoming too favorable a habitat for seed feeders like Lygus bugs and certain leafhoppers. If the entire pest break strip is cut and there is not nearby uncut alfalfa [the preferred Lygus host crop], then Lygus and other pests typically migrate into nearby market crops. "Strip cutting works best and is started most easily on the first cutting. In the spring when days are short, alfalfa is slow to go into bloom," write Stern et al. (1967) in one of the definitive University of California how-to publications on the subject. "At this season, the correct time for cutting can be determined from the new buds at the base of the plant. The first set of strips should be cut when 25 percent of the new shoots are 1/2 to 3/4 inches high. About 10 days later, the second or alternate set of strips should be cut. This will set up a harvesting differential for the second cutting." A 12- to 14-day cutting differential is important because adult Lygus, particularly females, begin moving out of maturing hay when alfalfa reaches three-fourths maturity. "If the alfalfa in the adjoining strips is 6 to 8 inches tall, these females will drift into these plots and remain there. Shorter hay is not as attractive to these drifting Lygus. At cutting time, when the alternate strips have about 10 inches or more regrowth, all of the Lygus are driven from the cut strips to this young succulent hay." In essence, strip cutting subdivides the alfalfa or cover crops into at least two sets of crops always at different levels of maturity and on staggered cutting schedules. The staggered cutting schedule enhances agroecosystem biodiversity by providing plants of different ages or maturities, in much the same way that a forest is more diverse with different ages and species of trees. The diversity added to the agro-ecosystem by strip cutting alfalfa and cover crops provides stability, preventing wild insect population explosions and crashes. This freedom from pest outbreaks is a consequence of the pest break strips creating a more permanent habitat for the beneficial species providing biological pest control. [perhaps a place to insert diagrams of strip cutting schemes, like those from University of California publications] Unfortunately, the necessity of providing permanent habitat for beneficial insects, spiders and mites is usually neglected in the design of both conventional and organic cropping systems. Besides a lack of appreciation of the benefits of ecosystem diversity, many farmers eschew strip cropping because of the extra work involved. Fueling up a spray rig is such a simpler solution, that even organic vegetable farmers usually succumb because it seems easier and is better known and understood than managing ecological complexity to achieve biological control. Also, prior to this CEC/NaturFarm/Rincon-Vitova Insectaries project, vegetable farmers had no prior case history documenting the energy and cost savings of the pest break strip approach and sustainable biological control. The mental paradigm of most vegetable farmers, whether organic or conventional, is that managing noncrop vegetation strips is an extra chore in their already overworked and stressful lives. For instance, seed may need to be purchased and additional planting operations undertaken to establish special strips. Pest break strips must also be monitored just like any other crop. Strip cutting requires extra management inputs so that mowing gets done ahead of scheduled irrigations. Sometimes the irrigation needs of watering up the pest break strip regrowth conflict with the irrigation, equipment logistics or harvesting needs of neighboring vegetable crops. In short, adding on the pest break strip cropping system sometimes seems like a headache to those doing the farming, an unwanted burden superimposed onto an already hectic overly long day, despite knowledge of the cost savings and benefits. In other words, managing pest break strips adds complexity to the farm operation, challenging the farmer's resources, as well as adding beneficial biodiversity and sustainable biological control to the agro-ecosystem. Even at NaturFarm, the demands of the pest break strip crops were a difficult burden to superimpose upon an already management-intensive cropping system of 30 different vegetable crops. Even though the increasing computerization of farms might ease scheduling tasks and smooth equipment utilization logistics, the humans running vegetable farms are still a key component in making the system work. The human component -- complete with the stresses, strains, perceptions, reactions and motivations -- of integrating biological control and pest break strips into an energy-efficient sustainable agricultural system still needs more research attention if the NaturFarm transition model is to be more widely implemented. In contrast, the extra energy-intensive spray rig runs required for pest control in the absence of the biological control benefits of pest break strips are so deeply ingrained that they are accepted as routine, a normal everyday part of modern farm life that often goes unquestioned. One result of this mindset in which spraying is the accepted and expected everday norm is that pest break vegetation strips are the rare exception, rather than the rule on vegetable farms. Lacking the permanent natural enemy habitat and agro-ecosystem stabilizing biological control benefits of pest break strips, both conventional and organic vegetable farms are heavily sprayed for pest control purposes with either conventional pesticides or organic substitutes like soaps, BT, pyrethrum and rotenone. NaturFarm's goal with pest break strips is breaking this deeply ingrained, energy-intensive habit of constantly spraying both conventional and organically-grown vegetables to control insect pests. But the pest break strips at NaturFarm are more than just a paradigm shift away from spraying. The pest break strips are also about habitat creation. Just as it is essential to maintain wetland habitats for migratory birds, it is necessary to create on-farm habitats for beneficial arthropod wildlife in order to reap the benefits of biological control. Pest break strips are, in essence, island-like wildlife refuges for natural enemies of agricultural pests. Functionally, managed natural enemy habitats like strip-cut pest break strips are essential transition inputs, providing the sustainable biological control missing from most conventional and organic vegetable cropping systems. Thus, pest break strips are vital if vegetable farms are to be successful in transitioning towards an energy-efficient agriculture in which sustainable biological control of insect pests replaces the energy-intensive pesticide spray habit. Pest break strips are more than just theory on NaturFarm's diversified vegetable farm, where sustainable biological control is operative and even organic sprays are never used. Indeed, NaturFarm has documented substantial energy and dollar savings compared to conventional farms by substituting pest break strips and beneficial insects for pesticide sprays. Whereas conventional farms spend 26% of their dollar budget and 24% of their energy budget on non-weed pest control, NaturFarm spends only 1% of its energy budget and 4% of its dollar budget on non-weed pests. Thus, provision of natural enemy habitats like pest break strips to grow natural biological control organisms is the necessary next step in pest control if organic vegetable production is to become truly sustainable and energy efficient, rather than a mere carbon copy of the pesticide spray model substituting "organic" substances in the spray tank. [might be a good place for the energy & cost pie charts on pp. 12-13 of the 1992 CEC NaturFarm Conversion report] As a pest control paradigm shift, the strip cut alfalfa borders and rows of insectary cover crops among the 30 or so vegetable varieties grown on the 70-acre NaturFarm are a bold leap beyond the less sustainable organic spray, pesticide substitution phase characterizing much of organic vegetable production today. Even NaturFarm's pest control adviser commented that on other organic farms he would have recommended sprays like soap and BT to combat high levels of pests that NaturFarm elected to tolerate. Instead, NaturFarm chose to risk and tolerate some short-term crop loss to further the longer-term objective of establishing sustainable biological control. In the face of a severe flea beetle infestation the first season, NaturFarm even elected to stop growing daikon radishes and switch to less susceptible crops for a season or two, until fall, so that long-lived Collops and Staphylinid beetle natural enemies would have more time to exert biological control on the soil life stages of flea beetles and worrisomely high populations of cucumber beetles [known as corn rootworms in the soil stage]. The beneficial beetles finally brought the flea beetles under biological control by the end of the first season, and daikons have been grown successfully ever since without any pest problems or sprays. Fortunately, NaturFarm was well-capitalized and had investors committed so strongly to sustainable biological control that they were willing to take short-term crop losses, if necessary, in the interests of the longer-term goal of establishing a reservoir of natural enemies for a more permanent and energy efficient form of natural biological pest control. Before embarking on this transition, NaturFarm's investors understood the risks and possible short-term losses that could result during the time needed for the pest break strips and natural enemies to establish a longer term presence. But the long-lasting and sustainable benefits of the pest break strips and biological control were perceived as being worth much more than any initial crop loss that might have to be tolerated in establishing an agro-ecosystem with sustainable biological control by natural enemies. There is no cheaper and more affordable army of pest-fighting beneficial arthropods than that found in strip-cut alfalfa, which is why NaturFarm made this the first choice for pest break strips. The millions of beneficials living in an acre of unsprayed strip-cut alfalfa are a ravenous army capable of destroying several million pests per day. Indeed, on a per acre basis, the number and diversity of natural enemies in strip cut alfalfa is so staggeringly high that it could not be purchased from commercial insectaries, though it can be grown for free! There are over a thousand species of insects interacting in complex ecological food webs in alfalfa. Describing and modeling the complexity of the alfalfa ecosystem, particularly when the insect diversity is further increased by intermixed crimson clover, ryegrass and various weeds, exceeds available taxonomic and entomological resources. But NaturFarm's pest control adviser, E.J. Dietrick, judged from his experience that the alfalfa pest break border strips at NaturFarm provided beneficial insect benefits similar to those that he and colleagues reported earlier from unsprayed strip-cut alfalfa fields in southern California [Schlinger & Dietrick, 1960]. When strip cut, each acre of alfalfa has 400% more natural enemies than when the whole stand is cut or harvested at the same time. The young tender alfalfa is an excellent insectary for growing beneficial arthropods, providing biological control organisms an abundant food source of small soft-bodied insects that thrive in the strip-cut regrowth. Alfalfa plants also yield 15% more, an extra ton of hay per acre, when managed by strip cutting. When the cut alfalfa is sheet composted rather than removed from the field, an expanded food chain of decomposing organisms feeds an even more diverse and abundant fauna of beneficial arthropods. The strip-cut alfalfa food chain produces over 1 million predatory spiders per acre, which is 1,000% more than without strip cutting. Each acre of strip cut alfalfa also contains 287,000 of the parasitic wasps providing biological control of aphids, caterpillars and other pests; this is 400% more than without strip cutting. Big-eyed bugs, good general predators of small caterpillars, mites and other pests, number 401,000 per acre in strip cut alfalfa, double the number occurring without strip cutting. Lady beetle adults number over 200,000 per acre in the strip cut alfalfa habitat, versus under 50,000 without strip cutting. There are 232,000 lady beetle larvae per acre after strip cutting, 2,000% more than the 11,000 without strip cutting [Schlinger & Dietrick, 1960]. Thus, strip cutting alfalfa pest break strips assures a more abundant supply of beneficial insects than could be produced under a more static management regimen. In contrast to strip cutting, when a whole field is harvested it is an ecological catastrophe for the beneficial insects, as they lose their food supply and are made homeless. The winged pests look for lush green nearby market crops to infest, while most of the beneficials either starve or disperse too far away to be available to combat new pest outbreaks. Strip-cut pest break strips remedy this situation by providing an alternative or trap crop for the pests, as well as simultaneously being a natural enemy refuge near the vegetable crops. As managed wildlife habitats for beneficial arthropods, pest break strips might be likened to military bases where beneficial arthropods are stationed and kept on alert to combat pest infestations as they arise. In other words, the reservoir of natural enemies in pest break strips stabilizes the vegetable agro-ecosystem by providing an army of beneficials lying in wait to ambush invading pests and prevent pest outbreaks. As a necessary component of an energy efficient agricultural system, pest break strips provide the habitat continuity that guarantees the presence of the natural enemies needed to provide biological pest control and idle the pesticide spray rigs. If conventional and organic agriculture are to kick the spray habit and become energy efficient with sustainable biological control, then strip cut alfalfa and other pest break strip crops will need to become integral components of the farm landscape. Economics, as much as anything else in past decades, helped make unsprayed strip-cut alfalfa a regional reservoir of natural enemies protecting nearby crops, including cotton and lettuce, in southern California. This changed only when alfalfa hay became economical to spray with insecticides and herbicides, which reduced biodiversity by killing the grassy weeds and diverse arthropod fauna. When alfalfa and other crops producing beneficial arthropods for a regional agro-ecosystem are sprayed and natural enemies destroyed, there may be quite dramatic and costly consequences. For example, the decline of cotton growing from an over 100,000 acre industry to a few thousand acres in California's Imperial Valley in recent years coincided with the pesticide-induced loss of alfalfa's natural enemies and their replacement by massive migrations of secondary pests like whiteflies. Imperial Valley vegetables like lettuce, broccoli and cabbage similarly suffer now from the whitefly migrations that have replaced the natural enemy influx from alfalfa. NaturFarm is using pest break strips in an attempt to re-create on a one farm microcosm level the sustainable biological control benefits onced provided region-wide in southern California's desert valleys by unsprayed and strip-cut alfalfa. But turning the theory that worked area-wide in the inland desert valleys of California into a success at NaturFarms' coastal valley location has proven a tough challenge. First of all, establishing an alfalfa stand proved unexpectedly difficult, as gophers undermined the alfalfa. Since other alfalfa fields exist in the vicinity, this was not expected. In the inland desert valleys, where alfalfa is grown in whole fields and flood irrigated, an irrigator with a shovel or a dog can destroy many gophers as they emerge from their flooded tunnels. Indeed, many gophers were flushed out by a period of unusually heavy rains at NaturFarm. But the NaturFarm uses sprinkler irrigation, which does not routinely flood out gophers. In any event, flood irrigation is not compatible with the permanent raised bed planting system established for vegetable growing. What was learned here was that strips of alfalfa interplanted or grown as field borders are a different cropping system than alfalfa grown in whole fields. Natural gopher biological controls like raptors were not a factor in the first year of nature farming, a result predictable from ecological theory and classical predator-prey models. Namely, the gopher pests have to erupt to high levels before predators can be expected to move in and supply control. Though gopher tunnels were explosively destroyed, the alfalfa border strips never recovered enough to produce the strong stands associated with whole alfalfa fields. Needless to say, with the 20-20 vision of hindsight, NaturFarm would have benefitted by starting the alfalfa pest break strips a year ahead of planting the vegetables, as the problems of stand establishment could have been worked out in advance of the first year's plantings of market crops of vegetables. The failure to predict the gopher problem and get a year's headstart in establishing the pest break strips meant that the natural enemy habitat did not reach its full potential in time to provide maximum biological control of the first spring's planting of vegetables. More research is needed into how to best integrate alfalfa and other pest break strips into vegetable agro-ecosystems for sustainable biological control. One option worth considering is interplanting small fields of furrow-irrigated alfalfa, which could be strip harvested for a commercial hay crop, around the vegetable farm. These pest break fields have the potential to ease gopher problems and management logistics, while still producing many of the same benefits as pest break strips. The right combination of pest break strips and/or small pest break fields of alfalfa needed to produce the desired benefits of trapping cropping and growing beneficial arthropods on vegetable farms has never been investigated. A Sense of Place Other human factors were also at work, such as the lack of sense of place that comes from years of working the land at one location. Being new to this farm location and unable to anticipate what the natural cycles of climate and the surrounding land would bring added an extra dimension of challenge to this transition farming experience, not that anyone could have predicted the weather and adequately prepared for its pest consequences on NaturFarm's first year. Specifically, the first year of cropping happened to be one of California's extreme drought years, which had enomorous pest consequences, especially when combined with the difficulty in establishing the pest break strips. Drought years in California usually exacerbate a farmer's pest problems, as the surrounding wild vegetation dries up early, forcing insects to migrate. The lush green of irrigated farms acts almost like a magnet, attracting migrating insects from the the dying hillside vegetation in this part of California. In a more normal rainfall year, insects inhabiting the surrounding landscape would not have migrated in such large numbers to NaturFarm's first spring vegetable plantings. But being an extremely attractive [to hungry insects] island of lush green plants in a drying landscape, NaturFarm was like a beacon luring in insects migrating from dry hillsides and nearby drying lima bean fields early that first spring. Thus, the first spring transition vegetable crop at NaturFarm was challenged by unusually heavy numbers of cucumber beetles, Diabrotica species, and flea beetles coming off drying wild mustards, wild gourds, jimson weed, nightshade and other farms with drying crops. The combination of unusually heavy insect migrations and pest break strips weakened by gophers threatened to overwhelm NaturFarm's vegetable crops with flea beetles and cucumber beetles that first spring. Most organic and conventional farmers would have reached into their arsenal of sprays. But NaturFarm remained true to its paradigm of not spraying, even when its pest control adviser expressed some doubts about getting by without any pest damage in the face of heavy flea beetle attacks on daikons, cabbage aphids on cole crops like cabbage and broccoli, and cucumber beetle populations so heavy that they threatened to spill out of the pest break strips and overwhelm the farm. Basically, NaturFarm gambled that some initial crop loss to the daikons, cabbage and broccoli would prove an acceptable price for attainment of the longer-term goal of establishing sustainable biological control of pests. The underlying premise, based on E.J. Dietrick's decades of firsthand field experiences in similar situations, was that unusually high insect populations are a common phenomena at the beginning of abrupt transitions from conventional to organic farming. When freed from a pesticide population control regimen, pests initially enjoy a Malthusian geometric population growth spurt in the absence of natural enemies, which are scarce from having been sprayed into near oblivion. As might be predicted from ecological theory, natural enemies find these high concentrations of pests, but usually not until after there is some plant damage. Thus, without spraying or some type of pest control actions during the early phases of the transition, some crop damage like the flea beetle destruction of the daikons and cabbage aphid injury to the cabbage and broccoli, is to be expected. For a period of time early in transitions, Dietrick has also routinely observed that high populations of beneficial insects can co-exist with high pest populations, making for extraordinarily high total insect populations. Thus, even though biological control may be occurring when total insect population levels are high, the pest populations may still be so high that some damage and insect-contamination of crops is almost inevitable when there is no spraying or other pest control action early in the transition experience. Even high populations of beneficial insects like lady beetles remaining after destroying aphid infestations are an unacceptable contaminant on a harvested broccoli crop. Eventually, usually towards the end of the first year, and almost always by the second or third year, a permanent lowering of total insect populations occurs. Also, the ratio of good bugs to bad bugs improves after the early stages of a transition, an outcome expected from ecological theory and empirical evidence of predator-prey ratios. At least this has been the general rule over several decades of Dietrick's experience implementing biological control for the University of California and private client farmers in California, Arizona, Mexico, Central America and elsewhere. NaturFarm's first year transition experience was no exception, only overlayed onto the expected high total insect populations was an unexpectedly heavy insect migration onto the farm due to the severe drought affecting the surrounding non-irrigated landscape. Indeed, total insect populations were 10-fold greater the first transition year than in the second year of the transition at NaturFarm. Thus, NaturFarm was exposed to unusually heavy insect pressures when the abrupt transition from conventional to sustainable organic farming began. Though these high total insect populations early in the transition may be unavoidable, maybe even desirable for a sustainable long-term outcome, the 20-20 vision of hindsight would have dictated preparing for unusually heavy drought-year insect migrations by establishing stronger pest break strips covering more acres. Ideally, at least 10% of the farmed area would be in pest break strips planted ahead of the main crop as trap crops to stop such a heavy pest onslaught. The type of experiment needed to determine the ideal size of pest break strips for heavy pest years is difficult, because it might have to be repeated for several years until another drought year of similar pest magnitude comes along. But 10% of the area to trap heavy pest populations is the figure experimentally determined in several other cropping systems. NaturFarm had planned to have 10% of its vegetable cropping area in pest break strips. But difficulties establishing the alfalfa pest break strips during the first year made the effective trap crop area less than optimum. [perhaps a good place to insert a diagram of the layout of the pest break strips, showing a 35 ft pest break strip every 350 ft = 10% of area, and mentioning in caption] In order to stop pests from moving out of the trap crop and into the market crop, trap crops are traditionally either destroyed along with the pests, sprayed or treated with some sort of cultural control like barriers to prevent pest migrations. Treating only the 10% trap crop area to destroy pests reduces pesticide sprays, energy inputs or other pest control actions by 90%, as compared to treating the entire cropping area. However, since the pest break strips at NaturFarm are designed to double as insectary crops and grow beneficial insects, the usual crop destruction and spray management options for trap crops were out. Heavy cucumber beetle populations migrating into the pest break strips from the drying hillsides and threatening to spill over into the market crops were particularly worrisome that first spring of the transition. The question that might be asked here is why the pest break strips did so well at trapping cucumber beetles, but not cabbage aphids or flea beetles, which caused considerable crop damage. The simple answer is that the cabbage aphids attacking the cole crops and the flea beetle species attacking the daikons are what is known as specialist pests, attacking mainly members of the Cruciferae plant family, which includes daikon radishes, cabbages and broccoli. Unlike the adult cucumber beetles, which are attracted to a variety of blossoms, these cole crop specialist pests do not have much affinity for the alfalfa, strawberry clover or pasture grasses growing in the pest break strips, much less the squash, strawberry or lettuce crops. A more complex pest break strip system could have brought the cabbage aphids under quicker biological control. Though, as a practical matter, what with the difficulties establishing the alfalfa pest break strips and other demands upon the farmer making an abrupt transition in a new setting, planting a special insectary blend to protect the first spring cole crops was not even attempted. Thus, the first spring planting of cole crops functioned like a pest break strip in what scientists would call the space-time continuum. In other words, NaturFarm's first spring planting of cole crops ended up functioning as a sacrificial trap crop for specialist pests like the cabbage aphid, as well as being an insectary crop producing cabbage aphid natural enemies for biological control of subsequent [in the time continuum] NaturFarm cole crops. Thus, cabbage aphids came under biological control when their natural enemies became more abundant after that first spring attack. Indeed, cabbage aphids remained under biological control for several subsequent cole crops, thanks to the descendants of the natural enemies of that first destructive spring of the transition. Only later did ant interference disrupt the biological control. The ants harvest honeydew from the aphids, and like good shepherds chase away the natural enemies attacking their aphid dairies. In order for biological control of aphids to function again, the ants require periodic management. A culture control, cultivating ant trails and nests, disrupts the ants enough to allow natural enemies to restore biological control to the cole crops. Of course, NaturFarm would have preferred that its first spring planting of cole crops be sold as a market crop, not become a de facto pest break strip. But this would have required advance planning, and added a layer of complexity for the already hard-pressed farmer, who would have had to plant a special cole crop pest break strip in addition to the alfalfa pest break strip. If the initial cole crop loss is to be avoided at the beginning of a transition to a no-spray sustainable organic vegetable agro-ecosystem, then special cole crop pest break strips are needed to compensate for the time lag between pest outbreaks and the onset of biological control. In classical predator-prey ecological theory, the time lag for onset of biological control exists because the prey [cabbage aphid] population peak reaches crop damaging levels before natural enemy [predators, parasites, pathogens] populations increase enough to dampen the infestation. In other words, pests are necessary to grow natural enemy populations; and if the pests are not to damage the initial cole crop plantings, then the pests needed to nourish natural enemies have to be grown in special cole crop pest break strips ahead of the market cole crop. Indeed, establishing cole crop pest break strips far enough in time in advance of the market crop would also help grow Collops beetle, Staphylinid beetle and other natural enemies for biological control of flea beetles, cucumber beetles and other pests. [if available, might not be a bad place to insert diagrams or illustrations of the pests & natural enemies mentioned; e.g. cole crop roots attacked by larval flea beetle, which is attacked by Collops & Staphylinid beetle larvae, while adult flea beetle is munching shot-holes in leaves.] Since cole crops are so heavily sprayed, with many pests resistant to pesticides, much more research is needed on integrating cole crop pest break strips into vegetable agro-ecosystems. Only one experimental paradigm, a strip farming experiment in Tennessee in the 1930s, even exists for using cole crop pest break strips to prevent cabbage aphid damage [Marcovitch, 1935]. In these early experiments, strips of turnips, a good cabbage aphid host, planted a month ahead of market crops acted as insectary plants, providing aphid natural enemies to nearby market crops. The turnips were partially destroyed by aphid infestations by late spring or early summer, but predators like lady beetles and parasites like Lysiphlebus testaceipes controlled aphids in the nearby later-planted market crops for most of the rest of the season. The NaturFarm experience was similar, only the planned market crops of cabbage and broccoli the first spring of the transition played the insectary crop role of turnips. More research is needed to determine whether other Cruciferae family plants like the wild mustards [probably relatives of the mustard seed industry crop plants farmed nearby in bygone decades] and wild radishes growing in the vicinity of Naturfarm might also be harnessed as cole crop pest break strips in interplanted rows or around field perimeters. Integrating these locally adapted weedy crucifers [e.g. wild radish and wild mustards] into the agro-ecosystem might also help produce needed energy-savings in weed control, as these Brassica species are known for their allelopathic inhibition of other vegetation. Under a plastic tarp like those used for solarization, residues of Brassicas such as cabbage and mustards are as effective as soil fumigants against soil pathogens and plant-parasitic nematodes. Hence, the potential to rotate locally-adapted Brassicas into the strip cropping scheme for control of multiple types of pests and increased energy savings needs to be further investigated. NaturFarm has so far only scratched the tip of the iceberg, as far as the potential of pest break strips to save energy and pest control costs. With such encouraging initial savings in energy and insect pest control costs compared to conventional farming, NaturFarm feels strongly that the concept of pest break strips needs to be further developed and extended to control a wider range of pests, save energy on other farm operations, and increase the overall sustainablity of farming. Many potential species, from legumes like peas to grasses and native plants like marigolds await testing in vegetable agro-ecosystems for insect, nematode, weed and pathogen control. Pest break strip cropping schemes can become even more varied to meet gaps in pest control. For example, strips of peas planted by Marcovitch [1935] in September grew pea aphids and their natural enemies, providing biological control of aphids on turnips and several other crops for several weeks into the fall. Future research should followup some of these many leads, and determine the best and easiest to use pest break strip cropping schemes for the long-term sustainability of vegetable agro-ecosystems. Research is also needed to fine-tune the planting times of pest break strips in relation to market crops for maximum biological control efficacy. The 1935 Tennessee experiments indicate that timing of plantings is critical -- the insectary crops had to be planted enough in advance, a month in spring, of the main crop for sufficient natural enemies to be available to nearby market crops. Perhaps by simply adjusting pest break strip species and planting times, transition farms like NaturFarm could get through the first season with no sprays, no crop loss and the same energy and pest control savings. Future research will have to address these and many other issues, including irrigation effects on pest management, if the transition to energy-efficient, sustainable no-spray organic vegetable farming is to be made easier to follow and more painless. In most cole crop production areas in California and worldwide, caterpillar pests like the imported cabbageworm, cabbage looper and diamondback moth are a problem, and sprayed with everything from microbials like Bacillus thuringiensis [BT] to synthetic pesticides. Pesticide resistance has turned diamondback moth into a major problem in the Asian Pacific Rim countries. Inexplicably, cole crop caterpillar pests like diamondback moth, imported cabbageworm and cabbage looper never became a problem at NaturFarm. NaturFarm's diverse natural enemy complex, which contained many generalist predators, including large beetles capable of eating caterpillars, may have played a role in keeping caterpillar pests like cabbage looper, imported cabbageworm and diamondback moth from reaching pest status. However, another caterpillar pest, the corn earworm, did become a problem on sweet corn despite an abundance of its primary generalist predator, the minute pirate bug. Hence, there may have been factors other than direct biological control by natural enemies at work suppressing cole crop caterpillars but not corn earworms. For example, NaturFarm injected very low levels of the microbial inoculant EM in overhead irrigation waters sprinkled on crops. EM has never been directly tested or evaluated with respect to its potential direct or indirect control effects on pests. So, an EM role in suppressing insects like the caterpillars attacking cole crops cannot be entirely dismissed without further research. In fact, there is reason to suspect that the very low incidence of plant disease problems at NaturFarm might be related to EM. Microbes like those in EM are known to produce antibiotics, which can stop other microbes, including some plant pathogens. Also, microbes that do not harm plants have been known to occupy niches favorable to plant pathogens, thereby excluding colonization of the plant by the pathogen. In a phenomena roughly analagous to immunity, microbes can also be a factor in induced resistance of crop plants to pests. Microbes can also be antagonistic to pathogens in a manner analagous to the biological control of insects by predators and parasites. Indeed, recent scientific research indicates that the microbial products in compost teas sprayed on plants can stop plant diseases like downy mildew, powdery mildew and leaf blight [Weltzien, 1989]. Vegetable crops are known to be attacked by a wide range of plant diseases, and fungicide use is the rule on many conventional vegetable farms. Yet, surprisingly, NaturFarm's only plant pathogen problem of consequence was a blue mold on spinach believed to be downy mildew race 3. Like most California coastal areas, powdery and downy mildew occurred on cucurbits like squash, though were not severe enough to impact production. Whether this low level of disease incidience was coincidental, due to natural biological controls moving from the pest break strips with insects, or related to EM, cover crop, fertility or other practices associated with the NaturFarm farming system is unknown. It would take a complicated research design to determine what is happening at NaturFarm with respect to the extraordinarily low incidence of plant disease on the 30 vegetable crops. Usually, overhead irrigation plays a role in plant disease and arthropod pest management. Sometimes, overhead sprinkler irrigation stimulates germination of the spores of plant pathogens like those causing downy mildew and powdery mildew. Other times, overhead irrigation timing is such that the plant pathogen spores do not germinate in greater than usual quantities. In fact, overhead irrigation sometimes reduces powdery mildew by washing off spores. Overhead irrigation also washes off arthropod pests as diverse as aphids, spider mites, thrips and caterpillars. Wingless pests washed off plants by rainfall or overhead irrigation have a more difficult time surviving and returning than do winged predators and parasites. Predatory mites survive because they float in water, whereas pestiferous spider mites drown. Irrigation, rain, fog, dew and other water sources can also create damp microclimates favorable to epidemics of entomogenous fungi, an occurrence observed when indigenous biocontrol fungi destroyed aphids living deep in the wet understroy of the pest break strips. In fact, there is also good reason to suspect that the irrigation process itself, in this case overhead sprinklers, could also be one of the reasons for the surprising absence of cole crop caterpillar pests. In fact, in Hawaii, daily overhead irrigation was shown to control diamondback moth; however, the crop was watercress, an aquatic plant that could withstand moisture without fear of disease. But more recently in the Midwest, daily overhead irrigation of head cabbage growing in a well-drained soil was shown to reduce diamondback moths up to 90%, with no plant disease problems. The key to attaining such a high level of control is timing overhead irrigations for the evening hours, as this disrupts the calling, mating and dispersal of diamondback moth, a nocturnal pest [McHugh, 1993]. NaturFarm did not set up controlled test plots to investigate the effects of its overhead sprinkler irrigations on cole crop caterpillar pests like diamondback moth. So, there is no way to know what percent of the pest control effect can be ascribed to biological control and what percent ascribed to irrigation. There is also evidence that overhead irrigations timed for the hottest part of the day also reduce numbers of adult flea beetles, as these pests like it hot and dry. It might almost require a computer system to keep track of and schedule irrigations for pest control purposes so that fungal biocontrol agents are triggered against aphids, diamondback moths disrupted on cole crops by evening sprinklings and flea beetles deterred from daikons by overhead watering during the hottest part of the day. Factors like water conservation and energy use have never been determined for a system of this sort integrating irrigation and pest management. Future research into integrated pest management [IPM] systems might consider designing in and taking advantage of the potential pest control synergisms between irrigation and biological control by natural enemies. Thus, an overhead sprinkler irrigation system like NaturFarm's could potentially be fine-tuned to wash off pests, disrupt pest mating and optimize biological control in crops and pest break strips while delivering the optimum daily dose of water to crops. However, integrating irrigation into cropping systems as a form of pest control may not be simple, as evidenced by the irrigation scheduling difficulties encountered with the pest break strips. Vegetable farms might require a computer system with software combining the interactivity of expert systems with scheduling and forecasting [e.g. crop irrigation needs, expected pest problems] abilities; though this might be technically achievable, such a system has yet to be invented for vegetable farms. Designing a vegetable cropping system harmonizing the pest control advantages of irrigation and pest break strips with crop needs and farmer abilities and equipment limitations would be an innovative future research direction. Another reason for learning how to better integrate the irrigation and maintenance of pest break strips into vegetable cropping systems is that the pest break strips may be the only year-round habitat available on vegetable farms for colonizing new natural enemies. Some pests became problems because when inadvertently imported from their foreign lands of origin, their natural enemies were left behind. In the absence of predation and parasitism by natural enemies from the native ecosystems of pest origin, pest populations can quickly explode to damaging levels. These damaging pest population explosions are also seen when natural enemies are missing for other reasons, such as pesticide spray mortality. Classical biological control remedies the absence of natural enemies from the pests native homeland, though the introduced natural enemies have to be protected from eco-catastrophes like pesticide spray drift. In classical biological control, natural enemies from the pest's homeland are collected, quarantined and evaluated, usually by the USDA, universities or state agencies. Natural enemies passing the test criteria and surviving the rigors of rearing are released in an attempt to establish a natural ecological balance similar to that keeping the pest rare in its native homeland. Not all classical biological control releases of natural enemies provide permanent pest control. Natural enemies imported for classical biological control programs are not always those best suited to the pest or climate of the new agro-ecosystem. Nevertheless, successful classical biological control programs more than pay for any R&D expenses and failures, often saving millions of dollars per year in pest control costs and reducing pesticide use dramatically. At NaturFarm, the year-round habitat provided by pest break strips afforded an opportunity for classical biological control not commonly found in vegetable agro-ecosystems. Most vegetable farms lack the year-round habitat provided by pest break strips, and are therefore inherently unsuitable for classical biological control. In contrast to less sustainable vegetable farms lacking pest break strips, NaturFarm was able to implement classical biological control, augmenting the indigenous natural enemy complex with exotic natural enemies capable of controlling tough potential pests like the diamondback moth and Lygus bug. A Braconid parasite, Peristenus digoneutis, imported from Europe by the USDA and impossible to raise in commercial quantities at the insectary, was released into the pest break strips to reproduce naturally and increase destruction of Lygus bug nymphs. The starter culture of two dozen mated female P. digoneutis were placed into an improvised field insectary, a tent-like nylon organdy cage slipped over a section of alfalfa in the pest break strip infested with Lygus. The idea behind this type of classical biological control is permanent establishment of the new natural enemy in equilibrium with populations of Lygus that become permanently lower than would otherwise be the case. Clasical biological control does not seek to eradicate the pest, as this would risk starvation of the natural enemy. Rather, the goal is reducing the pest to tolerably low levels. Besides release of P. digoneutis against Lygus bugs, an egg parasite was released to attack diamondback moth in cole crops. The diamondback moth egg parasite, Trichogrammatoidea bactrae, was collected as part of a University of California, Riverside, expedition to Australia for pink bollworm natural enemies. T. bactrae is a good candidate for establishment as a classical biological control because it attacks a wide array of moths in the family Gelechiidae, which includes many pest species. Also, T. bactrae can be produced commercially in the insectary. NaturFarm also "seeded" the pest break strips and vegetable rows with well-known insectary-grown natural enemies like green lacewings, predators attacking soft-bodied insects ranging from aphids and tomato russett mites to corn earworms and cabbage loopers. The beneficial insect releases, designed to augment or supplement indigenous biological control organisms, also included Trichogramma egg parasites that stop moth and butterfly eggs from hatching into pests like damaging cabbage caterpillars and tomato fruitworms. These natural enemy releases can be thought of like vitamin supplements, helping ensure that the agro-ecosystem has the biological control "nutrients" needed to fight off pest infestations. The supply of indigenous natural enemies found on NaturFarm included classical biological organisms introduced by the University of California many decades ago, a lasting reminder to knowledgable entomologists that the few thousand dollars spent on biological control many years ago are still working and paying millions of dollars in pest control dividends around the state every year. The most immediate source of the thousand or so species of natural enemies colonizing the pest break strips at NaturFarm was probably a nearby unsprayed alfalfa field. Had there not been quick natural colonization of the pest break strips by natural enemies from a nearby unsprayed alfalfa field, natural enemies could have been vacuumed harvested from a slightly more remote source in the same county and transported to NaturFarm for release. The same D-vac and Cycle Vac vacuum insect harvesting equipment used to sample fields as part of monitoring arthropod populations can be used to harvest "crops" of pests to study or beneficial insects to transport. With over one thousand arthropod species interacting in California alfalfa fields, practical population monitoring for everyday pest management requires using a rougher index, a ratio of good bugs to bad bugs, to monitor the progress of biological control on a more macro level. Since the D-vac and Cycle Vac collect huge numbers of insects, well-above the numbers needed for sampling and monitoring purposes, the excess not put into alcohol for preservation and possible future dissecting microscope identification to the species level can be utilized as a "crop." This huge excess D-vac or Cycle Vac harvested "crop" of living insects can be sorted via a series of screens of varying mesh size. For example, parasites tend to be very small, sometimes pin-head species like Trichogramma, and pass through the smaller screens. Larger insects like cucumber beetle adults remain behind. Indeed, this principle of insect separation after vacuum harvesting, which did not require energy expenditures beyond planned sampling needs, proved to be an excellent tool for managing the pest break strips as a cucumber beetle trap crop. Instead of spraying or plowing under the trap crop to destroy the cucumber beetle adults, the pests were vacuumed up and the beneficials returned unharmed to the pest break strip. The idea of vacuuming up pests and returning the beneficials to the field to improve the "good bug to bad bug ratio" is an innovation in vegetable farming. Since the invention of the D-Vac in the 1950s, E.J. Dietrick has sold over 1,500 D-Vac vacuuming units, mostly for scientific sampling purposes. Variations on the D-Vac concept, like Tractor Vacs, have been around for decades, mostly used by University of California researchers to harvest insects from alfalfa fields. Only recently have commercial quantities of tractor-drawn vacuum devices been sold to suck up everything from Colorado potato beetles on potatoes to Lygus bugs on strawberries and caterpillars on lettuce. However, there is a big underlying difference in the way that NaturFarm uses vacuuming to harvest insects. First of all, NaturFarm vacuums only the pest break strip area, when needed, or less than 10% of the acreage, not whole fields. Other vegetable farms tend to vacuum their whole acreage, which may have a different effect on the agro-ecosystem, much like the big differences in numbers of natural enemies between strip-cut alfalfa and cutting the whole field all at once; but more research is needed, as these ecological changes have not been measured. Also, other vegetable farms do not screen their insect harvests and return the beneficials to the field -- so their paradigm is more like the pesticide era philosophy that "the only good bug is a dead bug." In contrast, NaturFarm integrates vacuuming as a selective [good bugs are returned to the pest break strips] cultural control tool that raises the good bug to bad bug ratio, and promotes the longer-term goal of sustainable biological control. NaturFarm was fortunate that E.J. Dietrick's bag of biocontrol tricks included this innovative strategy of harvesting excess cucumber beetles from the pest break strips without disrupting development of biological controls. Since cucumber beetles also have a soil larval stage, much like flea beetles, and can damage crop roots, biological control of the soil stage of the pest could have better complemented the above-ground adult life stage vacuuming. Mulching around the susceptible crops would provide habitat for more natural enemies, as well as another food source from the food chain involved in mulch decomposition. As it was, the adult stage of the cucumber beetle was eventually lightly parasitized by a Tachinid fly, while the soil stages were attacked by larval Collops and Staphylinid beetles. The end result was as would be predicted from classical ecological predator-prey theory: namely, the Collops beetles, Staphylinid beetles and other natural enemies brought the flea beetles and cucumber beetle pests under sustainable biological control, and crops like daikon can now be grown without fear of crop destruction. To be continued... From steved@ncatfyv.uark.eduFri Mar 17 00:05:52 1995 Date: Wed, 15 Mar 1995 16:51:46 -0600 (CST) From: Steve Diver To: sanet-mg@wolf.ces.ncsu.edu, sustag-public@wolf.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: BIO-CONTROL MATTERS-> Humus Abstract: Response to post about the role of humus in Nature Farming and S.A. Keywords: humus, microbes, Nature Farming, the Luebke method, soil test Jim McNelly, I saw your posting (below) on sustag-public concerning the concept of humus as the basis for sustainable agriculture as versus designer microbes, companion planting, etc. [Sustag-public is a gateway for Usenet news to be posted on an Internet mailing list, and vice versa]. Thanks for bringing this issue to light. A couple of comments: Firstly, it was revealed on sanet-mg that the NatureFarm posting was a working draft by folks associated with this project. It was posted onto sanet-mg by a third party without prior notice or approval from the authors. Secondly, here are my two cents on the matter of humus in Nature Farming and S.A.: In the 1994 Proceedings of the Oklahoma Horticulture Industries Show, I compared Nature Farming, traditional organic farming, biodynamic farming, and Reams biological farming as viable sustainable farming 'methods' that conventional veggie growers may want to adopt during a transition to low-input sustainable agriculture. Here is an excerpt on Nature Farming: "Nature Farming was developed in Japan in the 1930s by Mokichi Okada, who later formed the Mokichi Okada Association (MOA). Nature Farming parallels organic farming in many ways but includes special emphasis on soil health through composts rather than organic fertilizers, when possible. Kyusei Nature Farming, a branch group, emphasizes use of microbial preparations in addition to traditional Nature Farming. Nature Farming is most active in the Pacific rim, including California and Hawaii." "Since the late 1980s, Nature Farming has gained wider recognition in the United States through the coordinated efforts of MOA and the Rodale Institute in the formation of the World Sustainable Agriculture Association (WSAA). The WSAA and MOA sponsor annual conferences on Nature Farming and sustainable agriculture. Kyusei Nature Farming conducts on-farm research in California." One MOA worker in Hawaii explained that in fact they even make special composts for different purposes. Thus, in terms of how the foundation of Nature Farming is laid, it appears that humus indeed forms the basis of production. Likewise, while not being familiar with all the particulars of Effective Microorganisms (EM) used in Nature Farming, on viewing the number of research papers available through Kyusei Nature Farming that deal specifically with microbes, it appears that these microbial additions to soils are important also for the role they play in the formation of humus. All of this stuff on humus is important, just as is the advanced work being done on biological controls by Dietrick, Grossman, BIRC, Kyusei Nature Farming, etc. More on humus, the Luebke influence: The Luebke farm family of Austria have infused a reawakening amongst farmers and landgrant workers as to the importance of humus through their seminars and conference appearances. The Luebkes teach a 3-day seminar on humus management, and a 4-day seminar on Controlled Microbial Composting (CMC). The Luebke system is based on the use of forage- and covercrop-based crop rotations, green manures microbially incoculated at plowdown, CMC compost prepared with microbial inoculants and rock dusts, and proper tillage (spade plow). Whether a farmer is financially capable of purchasing a Sandberger compost turner and adopting the whole CMC compost preparation method is secondary to the fact that they come away with a deeper understanding of the vital role soil microbes play in the formation of the clay-humus crumb, and how they can manage their soils to increase this effect. For example, the Luebkes improved a clay soil on their farm from 2% O.M. to 15% O.M. in a ten year period using humus management techniques. Most interesting to me as a farm advisor and sanet participant, are the soil health evaluation procedures the Luebkes employ. These include percent O.M., the colorimetric humus test, the circular chromatography test, and the buffered pH test. One of these in particular, the colorimetric humus test, has merit for wider adoption, and indeed has already been adopted by several commercial soils labs in the U.S. after it was re-introduced by the Luebkes. In fact, this method was developed in the U.S. decades ago but fell out of usage. The colorimetric humus test is done by extracting a soil or compost sample with a weal alkali solution (sodium hydroxide), filtering the solute, and then comparing the color of the extract against a colorimetric scale of standardized liquid-filled test tubes. The result is a relative number from 0-100. The idea behind this test is that it gives an indication of the degree and amount to which organic matter in soil has entered a humified state. When the humus number is compared against percent O.M., it provides a ratio that can be evaluated. Ideally, the ratio will be 1 part O.M. to 3 parts humus. Too little or too high humus readings provide an indication of a soil out of balance. This test is especially insightful in combination with the chroma and buffered pH test. In one instance, it was apparent the soil was constipated...plenty of soil humus, but no microbial activity to make the goodies available through mineralization. At the very least, it demonstrates that sustainable farmers are getting useful information about the condition of their soils via other methods of soil evaluation in addition to or as an alternative to standard university soils tests. So, McNelly, you have a good point and I think farmers, landgrant workers, and s.a. advocates should be thinking about humus. That's why I've summarized these few ideas and post them here for others to 'mull' over. :-) Steve Diver steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu Jim McNelly wrote: > After a long and informative note on Naturfarm, I was surprised to find > no reference concerning the organic matter concentration in the soil. > Is this typical of many of the new generation of sustainable farmers? > > Forage and dairy farmers I have met at sustainable ag conferences speak > longingly about organic matter levels, and how to import organics from > off farm to build up soils to native levels around 7% humus, or at least > to a more sustainable level around 3% to 5%, > > If I read many of the early proponents of both organic and sustainable > farming correctly, compost, humus, and natural ecosystems were stressed > over other influences such as pest control, disease suppression, > watering and so forth. The (older?) model held that if the soil was > improved, other values would follow. Perhaps it is just me, but does it > not seem that more and more farmers on the sustainable front are talking > about companion planting, beneficial insects, designer microbes, drip > irrigation and other techniques. .....................Stuff Deleted................................ > This is not to put down such practices, but more to make the observation > that these efforts might be considered to be a substitute for humus and > organic matter. > > Does anyone else think that organic matter levels in the soil are being > neglected in much of the sustainable agriculture discussion? > > Mr Compost~~~ > Affordable In-vessel Composting > PO Box 7444 > Saint Cloud, MN 56302 > > Jim~ McNelly > jim.mcnelly@granite.mn.org > > > * RM 1.3 02460 * A bird in the hand craps on the wrist. > > ------------------============<>=============----------------- > Granite City Connection (612) 654-8372 28.8K 3 Lines > Email: jim.mcnelly@granite.mn.org (Jim Mcnelly) > ------------------============<>=============----------------- From farntz@pearl.tufts.edu Mon Jan 16 16:12:34 EST 1995 Article: 489 of rec.ponds Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!news2.near.net!emerald.tufts.edu!diffract.eotc.tufts.edu!user From: farntz@pearl.tufts.edu (F. Arntz) Newsgroups: rec.ponds,alt.energy.renewable Subject: Re: Info on the New Alchemist Institute Date: Mon, 16 Jan 1995 12:21:39 -0500 Organization: Tufts EOTC Lines: 27 Message-ID: References: NNTP-Posting-Host: diffract.eotc.tufts.edu Xref: bigblue.oit.unc.edu rec.ponds:489 alt.energy.renewable:4155 REPLY: It still exists, at least the half in Massachusetts. They have an "ark" largely isolated from the environment (except for solar radiation) in which fish feed on organic growth which in turn is fertilized by the fish. Try 508-564-6301 in Hatchfield (near Marston's Mills on Cape Cod); address 237A Hatchville Rd, Hatchville MA (zip = ?) In article , jwasson@eznet.net (Jason Wasson) wrote: > Last Saturday I saw an old 16mm film from '74 about a group called the New > Alchemist Institute. This group is/was located in Vermont. They were > building a model farm that utilized organic farming techniques along with > alternative energy production. Some of the things they did envolved > raising their own fish and building their own windmills. > > I was wondering if anybody new if this group is still around and if so, do > you have their address? Thanks alot. > > -Jason Wasson > -- > jwasson@eznet.net > > Live Simply, So Others Can Simply Live farntz@pearl.tufts.edu KI$$ From Kron.Aken@cbr.for.csiro.au Tue Nov 22 18:16:27 EST 1994 Article: 942 of bionet.agroforestry Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!darwin.sura.net!lhc!biosci!daresbury!not-for-mail From: Kron.Aken@cbr.for.csiro.au (Kron Aken) Newsgroups: bionet.agroforestry Subject: Re: Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association Date: 16 Nov 1994 22:06:37 -0000 Lines: 45 Sender: lpddist@mserv1.dl.ac.uk Distribution: bionet Message-ID: <3advpd$1gn@mserv1.dl.ac.uk> X-Sender: krona@acacia Original-To: agroforestry@dl.ac.uk Their new address for the Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association is: Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association C/O Winrock International Rt.3 Box 376 Morrilton AR 72110 USA Phone:(501) 727-5435 Fax:(501) 727-5417 I have copied this address from their Sept 94 newsletter called 'Network News'. Their is no email address in the newsletter. Kron >In article <9411090510.AA52319@showme.missouri.edu> c650796@SHOWME.MISSOURI.EDU >(Thomas Payne) writes: > I've just had a letter sent to the Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association >come back as not deliverable. The address I used was: > > Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association > P.O. Box 680 > Waimanalo, HI 96795 > > Is there a new address, or is this organization defunct? Anybody >know? I was writing to Mr. James M. Roshetko, who is/was the program >officer of the CPP. Anybody know how I might contact him?--his e-mail >address? > > Thanks-- > >TP > **************************************************************************** * Kron Aken email:kron.aken@cbr.for.csiro.au * * Australian Tree Seed Centre Phone: + 61-6-2818200 * * CSIRO Division of Forestry Fax : + 61-6-2818266 * * GPO Box 4008, Queen Victoria Terrace * * Canberra, ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA * **************************************************************************** From LISTSERV@UKCC.uky.eduSun Feb 11 20:59:56 1996 Date: Sun, 11 Feb 1996 20:53:43 -0500 From: "L-Soft list server at UKCC (1.8b)" Reply to: OGL-Request@UKCC.uky.edu To: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." Subject: Usage guidelines for OGL PLEASE SAVE THIS DOCUMENT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Welcome to the * * ORGANIC GARDENING LIST (OGL) * * ogl@ukcc.uky.edu * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * LISTOWNER: Sheryl Highsmith Address: shighsmith@vines.colostate.edu OGL was set up in Fall 1995 by gardeners who thought an Organic Gardening List would be a useful addition to the range of gardening lists already on the Internet. CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT 1. What is organic gardening? 2. The purpose of OGL 3. Subscribing and unsubscribing 4. Sending messages to OGL 5. Sending commands to the Listserv 6. Some organic gardening organisations 7. Some useful books 8. Some other gardening lists/network contacts * * * * * * * 1. WHAT IS ORGANIC GARDENING? * * * * * * OGL recognises that people think of organic gardening in various ways. In general, organic gardening is good gardening without the use of artificial weedkillers and other chemical pesticides. It may also be thought of as natural gardening or environmentally friendly gardening. However, there is no single, absolute definition of organic gardening: "To me, organic gardening just means sensible gardening, caring for the wider environment in the longer term. Natural systems of pest control use much less energy, do not cause collateral damage and are also more effective - you don't have to keep developing more toxic methods to deal with pesticide-resistant strains. To paraphrase one writer, I have yet to see an aphid that was resistant to being eaten by a ladybird." "I feel the meaning of Organic is that of imitating nature and its methods of decomposition and rebirth. Organic is also a way of thinking holistically about every element in nature that touches the garden. The birds, bees, bats, insects and their synergy." "By encouraging the natural life cycle of all creatures, we in turn encourage the natural life cycle of human beings." * * * * * * * * * 2. THE PURPOSE OF OGL * * * * * * * * * OGL aims to support and encourage gardeners using, or attempting to use, organic gardening methods, and to enable discussion of gardening subjects within an organic framework. Hopefully, OGL will contribute to a move towards 100 per cent organic gardening around the world. Anyone who wants to learn about or discuss organic gardening is welcome to join OGL, whether they consider themselves strict organic gardeners, ordinary gardeners with organic tendencies, nervous dabblers or complete gardening novices: "I am a bit shaky on pure organics and I don't want a bolt of lightning to strike me while sitting here. I have used Roundup on my driveway weeds and liquid Sevin on my Japanese Beetles, but I want to find better, safer methods." "I found that so much of the discussion on other lists was not useful to me, considering my interest in strictly organic methods. In particular, my interest is in vegetable and herb gardening, but I would also welcome information on organic methods to grow flowers. Topics of discussion may include: - starting plants from seeds - harvesting seeds (preservation of heritage seeds) - pest control - weed control - soil quality improvement - companion planting - trouble-shooting for diseased, weak, unproductive plants - harvesting techniques and storage - composting - small scale gardening/ options for decks and small spaces - plants for specific environments ie. sun, shade, wet, dry." OGL subscribers may wish to use this list in various ways: "The main reason I want an OGL is to learn how to reduce the use of chemicals that may be harmful to our environment. I want to learn about less toxic ways to fertilize and control insects and diseases on my plants. There you have it." "What I would like to see in this discussion list is people exchanging ideas about the clean way to garden. There should be no debate about organic or not. It should be understood up front that the people involved are interested in organics and that the list is a way to provide them to talk it over." "A purpose of OGL is to encourage each other and educate each other in ways of best utilizing the God-given resources in and around our gardens." "I see OGL as being less of a "what kind of tree would you recommend for my zone" and more of a "what can I do about my broccoli that's got little green worms all over it?" You won't have to specify that you want organic replies only, nor will you have your mailbox fill with praise for the outstanding qualities of Roundup when a question arises about weed control." It is taken as given that OGL subscribers agree with the general principle of organic gardening. Any debate about the relative merits of organic gardening and mainstream/chemical/non-organic gardening should take place on other mailing lists rather than OGL. Similarly, OGL is not the forum for discussing or seeking advice on artificial weedkillers or other pesticides. * * * * * * 3. SUBSCRIBING AND UNSUBSCRIBING * * * * * * If you are reading this document you have probably already subscribed to OGL. If not, and you wish to subscribe, send the message: SUBSCRIBE OGL to the Listserv at LISTSERV@UKCC.UKY.EDU The command should be in the body of your message. Once subscribed, you will receive all the messages sent by subscribers to OGL. You may prefer to receive only one message a day from OGL consisting of a compilation (or Digest) of that day's messages. To do this, set your subscription to Digest (see Section 5. Sending Commands to the Listserv) To unsubscribe, send the command: UNSUBSCRIBE OGL or SIGNOFF OGL to the Listserv. If you need any help with subscribing or unsubscribing, please contact shighsmith@vines.colostate.edu * * * * * * * 4. SENDING MESSAGES TO OGL * * * * * * * Address: ogl@ukcc.uky.edu Once you are subscribed you can send messages to OGL at the address above. Your message will be distributed to all subscribers, including you. It is helpful to other subscribers if, when sending a message, you: * make sure the subject line reflects the subject of your message; and * put your name, location and email address at the end of your message. If you reply automatically to a message distributed by OGL, your reply will also go via OGL and be distributed to all subscribers. If you prefer your reply to go only to the sender of the original message, address it to the sender personally instead of replying automatically. Please refrain from personal attacks or criticism on the list. If you encounter problems or have any questions about sending messages to OGL, please contact shighsmith@vines.colostate.edu directly. * * * * * 5. SENDING COMMANDS TO THE LISTSERV * * * * * Address: listserv@ukcc.uky.edu The Listserv manages OGL as well as other mailing lists. You can get information about OGL or change the way you receive messages by sending specific commands to the Listserv. address above. The commands SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE AND SIGNOFF have already been described. Other commands you may find useful are: SET OGL DIGEST (to receive Digests from OGL) SET OGL MAIL (to receive individual messages from OGL) SET OGL NOMAIL (to receive no mail from OGL) REVIEW OGL (to get a list of OGL subscribers) Send the command to the listserv address above with the command in the body of your message. For a list of all Listserv commands, send the command: INFO REFCARD to the Listserv. If you encounter problems or have questions about using the Listserv, please contact shighsmith@vines.colostate.edu directly. * * * * * 6. SOME ORGANIC GARDENING ORGANISATIONS * * * * * Rodale Institute Research Center 611 Siegfriedale Road Kutztown Pennsylvania 19530 USA Tel: (215) 683 6383 Henry Doubleday Research Association National Centre for Organic Gardening Ryton-on-Dunsmore Coventry CV8 3LG England Tel: (01203) 303517 Henry Doubleday Research Association of Australia Box 61 Post Office Australia Square NSW 20000 Australia Terre Vivante Domaine de Raud BP 20 38711 MENS France Tel: (33) 76 34 80 80 International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) HQ c/o Okozentrum Imsbach O-6695 Tholey-Theley West Germany Irish Organic Farmer and Growers Association 56 Blessington Street Dublin 7 Ireland Tel: 01 30 7996 * * * * * * * * * 7. SOME USEFUL BOOKS * * * * * * * * * *Highly recommended Bartholomew, Mel (1981) 'Square Foot Gardening', Rodale Press. *Bradley, F.M. and Ellis, B.W. (Eds) 'Rodale's All-New Encyclopaedia of Organic Gardening', Rodale Press. Ellis, B.W. and Bradley, F.M. (Eds) (1990) 'The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control', Rodale Press. Flowerdew, Bob (1993) 'Bob Flowerdew's Complete Book of Companion Planting', Kyle Cathie. Lacey, Roy (1990) 'The Green Gardener: How to make your garden environmentally friendly', David and Charles. Jeavons, John (1982) 'How to Grow More Vegetables than you Ever Thought Possible on Less Land than You Can Imagine', Tenspeed Press. Stickland, Sue (1989) 'The Organic Garden: How to grow flowers, fruits and vegetables the natural way', Hamlyn. Yepsen, Roger (1984) 'The Encyclopaedia of Natural Insect and Disease Control', Rodale Press. * * * 8. SOME OTHER GARDENING LISTS/NETWORK CONTACTS * * * ALPINE GARDENING Send SUBSCRIBE ALPINE-L YOURNAME comma CITY ZONE to Listserv@nic.surfnet.NL COMPOST Send SUBSCRIBE COMPOST to listproc@listproc.wsu.edu GARDENS AND GARDENING Send SUBSCRIBE GARDENS to listserv@ukcc.uky.edu GAY MEN IN HORTICULTURE Contact: randbear@nets.com HERBS Send SUBSCRIBE HERB to listserv@vm.ege.edu.tr INTEGRATED PEST CONTROL Contact: djackson@pps1-po.phyp.uiowa.edu MASTER GARDENERS Send SUB MGARDEN to listproc@listproc.wsu.edu ORGANIC FARMING Send SUBSCRIBE AGENVIR-L to majordomo@pentagon.io.com SEED SWAP Contact: pstryjew@colsun.central.sun.com From ianst@qdpii.ind.dpi.qld.gov.au Thu Oct 13 11:09:53 EDT 1994 Article: 847 of bionet.agroforestry Newsgroups: bionet.agroforestry Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!darwin.sura.net!news.dfn.de!swiss.ans.net!howland.reston.ans.net!agate!msuinfo!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!bunyip.cc.uq.oz.au!dpi-gw!qdpii!ianst From: ianst@qdpii.ind.dpi.qld.gov.au (Ian Staples) Subject: Re: Acacia seeds Message-ID: Organization: Queensland Dept of Primary Industries References: <9410101501.AA59691@showme.missouri.edu> Date: Tue, 11 Oct 1994 08:23:50 GMT Lines: 29 c650796@SHOWME.MISSOURI.EDU (Thomas Payne) writes: > Could somebody out there suggest a good source for seeds of >phyllode-bearing Acacia species such as A. auriculiformis or A. mangium? A lot of Australian native plants are listed in the latest Kimseed catalogue KIMSEED Australian Revegetation Corp. 42 Sarich Court Osborne Park WA 6017 Australia Phone +61 (0)9 446 4377 Fax +61 (0)9 446 3444 The latest copy I've received arrived in late June this year. There are some 250 species of _Acacia_ listed. Prices for _A. auriculiformis_ are AUD190.00/kg, AUD9.50 per 25 g for _A. mangium_ they are AUD440.00/kg, AUD22.00 per 25 g Cheers, Ian S. -- Ian Staples E-mail : ianst@dpi.qld.gov.au c/- P.O. Box 1054 MAREEBA Phone : +61 (0)70 921 555 Home 924 847 Queensland Australia 4880 Fax : +61 (0)70 923 593 " " " From yount@csf.Colorado.EDUFri Apr 5 20:02:21 1996 Date: Fri, 05 Apr 1996 09:25:43 -0700 From: Michael Yount To: Steve Diver Cc: permaculture-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: Internet sites in Permaculture FAQ 1.2 Steve and everyone, I've made a few changes to FAQ version 1.1 and placed them at http://csf.colorado.edu/perma/faq.html (which is only a table of contents), including the instructions for the Australian mailing list: To subscribe, send a message to "listserver@eepo.com.au" Put the line: SUBSCRIBE PERMA Your Name in the body of the mail message. Thanks to Steve for managing the FAQ! Michael yount@csf.colorado.edu :}Permaculture-MG readers, :} :}The Permaculture FAQ, Version 1.2 is almost ready :}for posting on the Web. :} :}Please take a look at the following list and let me :}know if you have any suggestions for other sites. :} :}I have deleted several sites since Version 1.1 and :}have also added several new sites. :} :}Can anybody tell me if the Perma List in Australia :}(see #2) is active and how to subscribe? :}(majordomo, listserv, listproc?) :} :}Steve Diver :}steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu :} From djackenhd@aol.com Fri Dec 29 09:56:08 EST 1995 Article: 9913 of alt.sustainable.agriculture Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-server.ncren.net!news.duke.edu!agate!dog.ee.lbl.gov!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!sdd.hp.com!frankensun.altair.com!nntp.coast.net!howland.reston.ans.net!news-e1a.megaweb.com!newstf01.news.aol.com!newsbf02.news.aol.com!not-for-mail From: djackenhd@aol.com (DJackeNHD) Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture Subject: Re: Info needed: New Alchemy Institute Date: 27 Dec 1995 23:28:37 -0500 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Lines: 33 Sender: root@newsbf02.news.aol.com Message-ID: <4bt6dl$nn6@newsbf02.news.aol.com> References: Reply-To: djackenhd@aol.com (DJackeNHD) NNTP-Posting-Host: newsbf02.mail.aol.com Folks-- New Alchemy Institute fell prey to budget cuts and other mishaps several years ago. Earl Barnhart, Hilde Maingay and otehrs formed a CoHousing group to buy the site and turn it into an ecovillage about three years ago, but I have heard nothing about what is happening since. Ocean Arks International is in some ways a successor, but is not carrying on the same work, quite, as New Alchemy was. They are mostly focussing on water and wastewater treatmetn methodologies using greenhouses and other appropriate technologies. Their phone number is 508-540-6801. Many other people are playing with ideas generated by the Todds and others at NAI. Jerome Osentowski at the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute, PO Box 631, Basalt, CO 81621 has some great greenhouse stuff going on in interconnected systems, but little or no aquaculture as I recall. He is about to leave for Nicaragua on a project in a day or two, and I don't know when he'll be back. Someone is likely to be there managing the place if you still want to get in touch. Also Darrel Frey has a "bioshelter" based on NAI's work and on Solviva on Martha's Vineyard. He will be running a permaculture course there this August. Write him at Three Sisters Farm and Nursery, 134 Obitz Road, Sandy Lake, PA 16145 USA. FOR BOTH JEROME AND DARRELL, PLEASE INCLUDE A SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE, as both are shoestring operations. Either could tell you of other people playing with these ideas. If you have other questions, get in touch with me at DJackeNHD@aol.com. Peace-- Dave Jacke Native Harvest Designs From tforster@igc.apc.orgThu Feb 23 19:57:30 1995 Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 10:17:32 -0800 From: Thomas Forster To: london@calypso-2.oit.unc.edu Subject: Re: educational visit (fwd) Please forward: Rachel -- its not S. Oregon or California, but here on Orcas Island in Washington, there are several farms that may together be interested in a project -- of which Biodynamic, organic and permaculture are separate cultural practices on distinct farms. If you are interested, my email is tforster@igc.apc.org and phone is 206-360-76-3663. Address Post Office Box 128, Olaga WA 98279 Thomas Forster From listserver@eepo.com.auFri Apr 5 22:03:25 1996 Date: Sat, 06 Apr 1996 09:22:27 WST-8 From: listserver@eepo.com.au To: london@fddisunsite.oit.unc.edu Subject: SUBSCRIBE PERMA Lawrence London You are now subscribed to [PERMA] Mail to listserver@eepo.com.au with HELP in the *body* of the message for help with this listserver. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to perma@eepo.com.au, a subscriber-postings-only(*) mailing list run by some members of the Permaculture Association of Western Australia (PAWA). The list was formed for discussion and communication between permaculturists in Western Australia (and any other interested parties). We welcome your input and we invite you to join us in encouraging people all over the world to discover permaculture for themselves. The following topic list gives some idea of the wide range we might cover ... Agricultural History Alternative Economics Bio-regionalism Community Aid Community Building Community Forestry Ecology Economic Regionalism Energy Enviro Contamination Enviro Education Enviro Ethics Enviro Investment Food Production Green Business Healthy Cities LETS Landscape Architecture Legislative Initiatives Ongoing Projects Organics Pattern Language Population Growth Project Finance Recycling Self-help Sustainability Sustainable Agriculture The Environment Town Planning Urban Planning Waste Management Water Purification ... but this list is by no means definitive. Be imaginative!! (topic list stolen shamelessly from Mike Smith :-) If you want to receive a mail item defining permaculture, send a message to: listserver@eepo.com.au with "SEND PERMA DEFINITION" at the start of the *body* of the message. Similarly, replace "DEFINITION" above with one of the following words if you would like to receive one of the following documents: Keyword Document description ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEFINITION A definition of Permaculture ORGS-WA Western Australian organisations involved with permaculture, including contact details. World Wide Web (WWW) -------------------- Those blessed with WWW access may like to browse our newly created web pages at - http://www.eepo.com.au/perma/ Your welcome contributions to the web pages may be submitted to this address for possible editing and perusal before addition to the web. List details ------------ Postings to all the members of the list should be sent to: perma@eepo.com.au List subscriptions, unsubscriptions, etc, to: listserver@eepo.com.au (send "HELP" in the *body* of the message for listserver details) Notes: (*) subscriber-postings-only means postings to the list will only get through if the sender is subscribed to the list. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From vic@daena.eepo.dialix.oz.auWed Feb 1 21:12:07 1995 Date: Wed, 01 Feb 1995 12:38:09 WST From: Victor Guest Reply to: victor.guest@eepo.com.au To: london@calypso-2.oit.unc.edu Cc: permaculture list Subject: 1996 International Permaculture Convergence. Friends PAWA the Permaculture Association of Western Australia is all set to host the 1996 International Permaculture Convergence. The Address for enquirys' is convergence@eepo.com.au or convergence-1996@eepo.com.au. The time is September/October which is the time our wildflowers are at their best. People coming to the convergence/conference are asked to reply as early as possible to help us decide on the choice of venue and on catering etc. Please indicate if you are likely to bring family, numbers, boys/girls ages etc. Tours of our vast state, are expected to be organised before during and after the convergence, so if you are interested in a tour of a specific aspect this information will be valuable in planning. If you would like to present a paper at the conference, and would like to submit an outline of that paper, expressions of interest will be registered with the convenor, at the above address. We intend to have an EXPO, and if you would like space reserved for an exhibition, please indicate the approximate size you need. The celebration at the end of the convergence will give you the opportunity to entertain us so please let us know if we can reserve time for your item. ---------------------------cut----------------------------- To: convergence-1996@eepo.com.au. Cc: Subject: 1996 International Permaculture Convergence. Expression of Interest Name: Address: Telephone: Fax : Email : Paper: Y/n. Subject: Accomodation: Y/n Any special needs: Dietry Needs: Children: girls ages boys ages Tours: Y/n Interests: Expo: Please reserve some space. Y/n Appprox size: I am interested in entertaining at the Celebration: Y/n COMMENTS: ________________________________cut______________________________ Regards, Vic -- Victor Guest V.G.Guest Perth, Western Australia vic.guest@eepo.com.au 3 McKee Plce Kingsley. 6026 ----: Sustainable Agriculture :---- Tel. (09) 3092108 --: The Land Management Society & The Permaculture Association:---- From Wilcox_D@hccs.cc.tx.usSat Apr 20 10:19:56 1996 Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 23:33:00 -0500 (CDT) From: Wilcox_D@hccs.cc.tx.us To: london@sunsite.unc.edu Subject: Re: PERMACULTURE (fwd) RE: Permaculture in Houston Contact Victoria Albright at 713-661-0699 From hwaldock@cyberstore.ca Sun Feb 19 12:16:56 EST 1995 Article: 1200 of bionet.agroforestry Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-server.ncren.net!news.duke.edu!godot.cc.duq.edu!newsfeed.pitt.edu!gatech!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!sunserver.insinc.net!news.Direct.CA!scipio.cyberstore.ca!cyberstore.ca!hwaldock From: hwaldock@cyberstore.ca (greenbase) Newsgroups: bionet.agroforestry Subject: Permaculture Events in Canada Date: 15 Feb 1995 20:32:21 GMT Organization: greenpeace Lines: 105 Distribution: world Message-ID: <3htocl$999@scipio.cyberstore.ca> Reply-To: hwaldock@cyberstore.ca NNTP-Posting-Host: yvr-ppp-32.cyberstore.ca PERMACULTURE Events 1995 SCHEDULE February 18th, "Seedy Saturday", at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver info.: 266-7194 February 18th, Potluck 5:30 pm after Seedy Saturday @ SPEC call Siobhan Ryan 873-4335 Topic of discussion: Frugal Lifestyles Feb. 19th "Permaculture Garden" at S.P.E.C. in Vancouver info.: Siobhan Ryan 873-4335 March 10-12 "Introduction to Permaculture" at University College of the Caribou in Kamloops, Contact: Donna Mason, 825-5000 March 25, 26 "Synergistic Agriculture" with Emilia Hazelip, Slocan Valley, inf.: Greg Lamoureux 226-7302 April 22, 23 "Introduction to Permaculture" at the "Festival of Awareness" in Naramata (Okanagan) Contact: Jan Stickney 492-0522 May 5-8 "Hands On Permaculture" at the Centre for Health Awareness in Christina Lake, Contact: Kalia Lesley 447-6503 May 26-28 "Introduction to Permaculture" at C.R.E.D.A. in McBride, B.C., Contact: Pete Amyoony 569-3379 In Calgary and Montreal date to be confirmed. "PERMACULTURE is a design system for creating sustainable human environments." Bill Mollison KOOTENAY PERMACULTURE INSTITUTE Gr‚goire Lamoureux has founded the Kootenay Permaculture Institute, a centre for research and education in sustainable ways of living. The Institute offers an apprenticeship program in which people come and learn about Permaculture, by direct experience and by doing research on their own. One educational project involves establishing an agroforestry system, or "forest garden", that can produce an abundance of food in a very short period of time and in a small amount of space, using a minimum of energy (by recycling local resources) while integrating trees in the system. The Institute also keeps in touch with an international network of people working with various approaches to sustainable ways of living. KOOTENAY PERMACULTURE INSTITUTE Gregoire Lamoureux, Director Box 43 Winlaw, British Columbia Canada V0G 2J0 Phone: (604) 226-7302 SERVICES AVAILABLE: Permaculture Design Consulting Courses & workshops Seeds and plants search Apprenticeship Program Books & Information Nursery Plants & Seeds BOOKS AVAILABLE Mollison, Bill, Permaculture A Designers' Manual, 1988, Tagari Publications, Australia, 580 pp. Hardcover. Mollison, Bill and Slay, Reny Mia, Introduction to Permaculture, 1991, Tagari Publications, Australia. 198 pp. soft. Mollison, Bill, The Permaculture Book of Ferment and Human Nutrition, 1993, Tagari Publications, Australia. 288pp. soft. Bell, Graham, The Permaculture Way, 1992, Thorsons, HarperCollins Publishers, London, UK. 240 pp. soft. Watkins, David, Urban Permaculture, A Practical Handbook for Sustainable Living. 1993, Permanent Publications, England. 152 pp. soft. 1995 SCHEDULE February 18th, "Seedy Saturday", at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver info.: 266-7194 Feb. 19th "Permaculture Garden" at S.P.E.C. in Vancouver info.: Siobhan Ryan 873-4335 March 10-12 "Introduction to Permaculture" at University College of the Caribou in Kamloops, Contact: Donna Mason, 825-5000 March 25, 26 "Synergistic Agriculture" with Emilia Hazelip, Slocan Valley, inf.: Greg Lamoureux 226-7302 April 22, 23 "Introduction to Permaculture" at the "Festival of Awareness" in Naramata (Okanagan) Contact: Jan Stickney 492-0522 May 5-8 "Hands On Permaculture" at the Centre for Health Awareness in Christina Lake, Contact: Kalia Lesley 447-6503 May 26-28 "Introduction to Permaculture" at C.R.E.D.A. in McBride, B.C., Contact: Pete Amyoony 569-3379 In Calgary and Montr‚al date to be confirmed. MEMBER OF: WILLING WORKERS ON ORGANIC FARM (WWOOF) WWOOF-Canada, John Vanden Heuvel RR #2, S.18, C.9, Nelson, B.C. V1L 5P5, (604) 354-4417 STEWARDS OF IRREPLACEABLE LAND (SOIL) Kindwood Farm 499 Millstream Lake Road, RR #6, Victoria, B.C. V8X 3X2, (604) 478-4403 TRAVELER EARTH REPAIR NETWORK (TERN) Friends of the Trees Society, PO Box 1064, Tonasket, WA 98855. Tel/Fax (509) 485-2705 HERITAGE SEED PROGRAM (HSP) RR #3, Uxbridge, Ontario, L0C 1K0 SEED SAVERS EXCHANGE (SSE) 3076 North Winn Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted By Harold Waldock : hwaldock@alternatives.com 604 430 8080 Green Culture BBS: Permaculture, Alternative Energy, organic agriculture & more Alternatives BBS: 604 430 8080 Greenpeace, Farm Folk City Folk, Many Health Groups & more. Voice 604 434 3299 From steved@ncatfyv.uark.eduWed May 15 10:50:26 1996 Date: Tue, 14 May 1996 22:17:14 -0500 (CDT) From: Steve Diver To: permaculture-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Cc: london@sunsite.unc.edu, yount@csf.colorado.edu Subject: Permaculture FAQ 1.3 The Permaculture FAQ Version 1.3 May 1996 The Permaculture FAQ (1.3) is divided into 7 parts: 1. Introduction to permaculture 2. Permaculture defined 3. Characteristics of permaculture 4. The practical application of permaculuture 5. Permaculture resources: United States Australia Around the World 6. Books on permaculture 7. Electronic sources ============================================================== INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE ============================================================== The word "permaculture" was coined in 1978 by Bill Mollison, an Australian ecologist, and his student, David Holmgren. It is a contraction of "permanent agriculture" or "permanent culture." Permaculture is about designing ecological human habitats and food production systems. It is an approach to land use which integrates human dwellings, microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, and water management into stable, productive communities. A central theme in permaculture is the design of ecological landscapes that produce food. Emphasis is placed on multi-use plants and the integration of animals to recycle nutrients and graze weeds. However, permaculture entails much more than just food production. Permaculture design concepts are being applied in urban as well as rural settings, and are applicable to single households or whole farms and villages. "Integrated farming" and "ecological engineering" are terms sometimes used to describe permaculture. Though helpful, these terms do not capture the holistic nature of permaculture and thus the following definitions are included to provide insight. ============================================================== PERMACULTURE DEFINED ============================================================== 1. From the Permaculture Drylands Institute and published in THE PERMACULTURE ACTIVIST (Autumn 1989): Permaculture: the use of ecology as the basis for designing integrated systems of food production, housing, appropriate technology, and community development. Permaculture is built upon an ethic of caring for the earth and interacting with the environment in mutually beneficial ways... 2. From Lee Barnes (editor of KATUAH JOURNAL and PERMACULTURE CONNECTIONS), Waynesville, North Carolina: Permaculture (PERMAnent agriCULTURE or PERMAnent CULTURE) is a sustainable design system stressing the harmonious interrelationship of humans, plants, animals and the Earth. To paraphrase the founder of permaculture, designer Bill Mollison: "Permaculture principles focus on thoughtful designs for small-scale intensive systems which are labor efficient and which use biological resources instead of fossil fuels. Designs stress ecological connections and closed energy and material loops. The core of permaculture is design and the working relationships and connections between all things. Each component in a system performs multiple functions, and each function is supported by many elements. Key to efficient design is observation and replication of natural ecosystems, where designers maximize diversity with polycultures, stress efficient energy planning for houses and settlement, using and accelerating natural plant succession, and increasing the highly productive "edge-zones" within the system." Permaculture designs have been successfully and widely implemented in third-world countries, but there is current need to expand these principles in temperate climates, and especially urban areas to create more enjoyable and sustainable human habitats. 3. From Michael Pilarksi, founder of Friends of the Trees, and published in INTERNATIONAL GREEN FRONT REPORT (1988): Permaculture is: the design of land use systems that are sustainable and environmentally sound; the design of culturally appropriate systems which lead to social stability; a design system characterized by an integrated application of ecological principles in land use; an international movement for land use planning and design; an ethical system stressing positivism and cooperation. In the broadest sense, permaculture refers to land use systems which promote stability in society, utilize resources in a sustainable way and preserve wildlife habitat and the genetic diversity of wild and domestic plants and animals. It is a synthesis of ecology and geography, of observation and design. Permaculture involves ethics of earth care because the sustainable use of land cannot be separated from life-styles and philosophical issues. 4. From a Bay Area Permaculture Group brochure, published in WEST COAST PERMACULTURE NEWS & GOSSIP AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING NEWSLETTER (Fall 1995): Permaculture is a practical concept which can be applied in the city, on the farm, and in the wilderness. Its principles empower people to establish highly productive environments providing for food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs, including economic. Carefully observing natural patterns characteristic of a particular site, the permaculture designer gradually discerns optimal methods for integrating water catchment, human shelter, and energy systems with tree crops, edible and useful perennial plants, domestic and wild animals and aquaculture. Permaculture adopts techniques and principles from ecology, appropriate technology, sustainable agriculture, and the wisdom of indigenous peoples. The ethical basis of permaculture rests upon care of the earth--maintaining a system in which all life can thrive. This includes human access to resources and provisions, but not the accumulation of wealth, power, or land beyond their needs. ============================================================= CHARACTERISTICS OF PERMACULTURE (*) ============================================================= * Permaculture is one of the most holistic, integrated systems analysis and design methodologies found in the world. * Permaculture can be applied to create productive ecosystems from the human-use standpoint or to help degraded ecosystems recover health and wildness. Permaculture can be applied in any ecosystem no matter how degraded. * Permaculture values and validates traditional knowledge and experience. Permaculture incorporates sustainable agriculture practices and land management techniques and strategies from around the world. Permaculture is a bridge between traditional cultures and emergent earth-tuned cultures. * Permaculture promotes organic agriculture which does not use pesticides to pollute the environment. * Permaculture aims to maximize symbiotic and synergistic relationships between site components. * Permaculture is urban planning as well as rural land design. * Permaculture design is site specific, client specific, and culture specific. (*) Source: Pilarski, Michael (ed.) 1994. Restoration Forestry. Kivaki Press, Durango, CO. p. 450. ============================================================== THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION of PERMACULTURE ============================================================== Permaculture is not limited to just plant and animal agriculture, but also includes community planning and development, use of appropriate technologies (coupled with an adjustment of life- style), and adoption of concepts and philosophies that are both earth-based and people-centered, such as bio-regionalism. Many of the appropriate technologies advocated by permaculturists are well-known. Among these are solar and wind power, composting toilets, solar greenhouses, energy efficient housing, and solar food cooking and drying. Due to the inherent sustainability of perennial cropping systems, permaculture places a heavy emphasis on tree crops. Systems that integrate annual and perennial crops such as alleycropping and agroforestry take advantage of "the edge effect", increase biological diversity, and offer other characteristics missing in monoculture systems. Thus, multicropping systems that blend woody perennials and annuals hold promise as viable techniques for large-scale farming. Ecological methods of production for any specific crop or farming system are central to permaculture as well as sustainable agriculture in general. Since permaculture is not a production system, per se, but rather a land use planning philosophy, it is not limited to a specific method of production. Furthermore, as permaculture principles may be adapted to farms or villages worldwide, it is site specific and therefore amenable to locally adapted techniques of production. As an example, standard organic farming and gardening techniques utilizing cover crops, green manures, crop rotation, and mulches are emphasized in permacultural systems. Yet, the use of the Keyline chisel plow, rotational grazing, the Aerway implement in no-till farming, and a whole number of other techniques are adaptable to farms working within a permacultural framework. The decision as to which "system" is employed is site-specific and management dependent. Farming systems and techniques commonly associated with permaculture include rotational grazing, agroforestry, swales, contour plantings, the Keyline method (soil and water management), hedgerows and windbreaks, and integrated farming systems such as aquaculture, intercropping, and polyculture. Gardening and recycling methods common to permaculture include edible landscaping, keyhole gardening, companion planting, trellising, sheet mulching, chicken tractors, solar greenhouses, spiral herb gardens, swales, and vermicomposting. Water collection, management, and re-use systems like Keyline, greywater, rain catchment, constructed wetlands, aquaponics (the integration of hydroponics with recirculating aquaculture), and solar aquatic ponds (also known as Living Machines) play an important role in permaculture designs. ============================================================== PERMACULTURE RESOURCES ============================================================== The two basic sources of information on permaculture are permaculture design courses and permaculture literature. The Permaculture Design Course is the primary vehicle for transfer of permaculture expertise. The standard course is 72-hours in length and lasts two weeks. Graduates are issued a permaculture design certificate and are entitled to use "Permaculture" in the pursuit of livelihood and for educational purposes. The permaculture literature is a rich source of information on a wide range of topics dealing with land use, plant and animal agriculture, water management, appropriate technology, energy-efficient and toxic-free housing, and community design. ******************************************* Permaculture Resources in the United States ******************************************** THE PERMACULTURE ACTIVIST Box 1209 Black Mountain, NC 28711 (704) 683-4946 Editor: Peter Bane Cost: $16, quarterly THE PERMACULTURE ACTIVIST is the leading periodical for North American permaculture. It publishes articles on permaculture, edible landscaping, bioregionalism, aquaculture, etc, and provides a current listing of upcoming permaculture design courses. It serves as an important networking tool in the U.S., Canada, and Central America. Back issues are available for sale. THE INTERNATIONAL PERMACULTURE SOLUTIONS JOURNAL (TIPS) Yankee Permaculture, Elfin Permaculture, and Forest Ecosystem Rescue Network (FERN) P.O. Box 672 Dahlonega, GA 30533-0672 Editor: Dan Hemenway Cost: $27.50 for four issues THE INTERNATIONAL PERMACULTURE SOLUTIONS JOURNAL (TIPS) is published on an irregular basis, but is a rich source of information. Prior to TIPS, Yankee Permaculture put out a fantastic yearbook called THE INTERNATIONAL PERMACULTURE SPECIES YEARBOOK (TIPSY). The TIPSY series is a goldmine of permaculture information; much of the information is still quite useful. FERN publishes a permaculture newsletter called ROBIN that deals with forest issues. Yankee Permaculture also publishes THE RESOURCES OF INTERNATIONAL PERMACULTURE - TRIP. Volume 5 of TRIP, published in 1993, is a 68-page issue that contains 1,540 listings of groups working in permaculture, sustainable food systems, and tree-based agriculture. RESTORATION FORESTRY Friends of the Trees P. O. Box 4469 Bellingham, WA 98227 (206) 738-4972 Editor: Michael Pilarski RESTORATION FORESTRY: AN INTERNATIONAL GUIDE TO SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY PRACTICES (1994) is a 525-page guide to resources in restoration forestry. It contains over 50 review articles, 780 organizations, 230 journals/periodicals, 800 books, 100 restoration forestry projects underway, and 100 directories on topics relating to restoration forestry, forest ecology, tree seedlings, bioregionalism, and permaculture. It is a massive addition to tree-based agricultural literature. Cost is $27, plus $4 handling. Other publications from Friends of the Trees include the INTERNATIONAL GREEN FRONT REPORT (1988, $7.00); KIWIFRUIT ENTHUSIASTS JOURNAL (Vol. 6, $17.20); and THIRD WORLD RESOURCE GUIDE (1993, $5.00) and the WEST COAST PERMACULTURE NEWS & GOSSIP NEWSLETTER. Travelers Earth Repair Network (TERN) is a database maintained by Friends of the Trees containing over 2,500 permaculture contacts in 100-plus countries. The aim is to link travelers with individuals and organizations involved in sustainable agriculture, forestry, permaculture, and ecological restoration. There is a $50 fee to access the TERN database. Hosts are listed free of charge. PERMACULTURE DRYLANDS JOURNAL Permaculture Drylands Institute P.O. Box 156 Santa Fe, NM 87504-0156 (505) 983-0663 Cost: $25, 3 issues per year PERMACULTURE DRYLANDS JOURNAL (formerly SUSTAINABLE LIVING IN DRYLANDS) is published in April, August, and December by the Permaculture Drylands Education and Research Institute. It focuses on permaculture concepts and designs for arid lands, with a heavy focus on New Mexico and Arizona. PDJ has published articles on straw bale buildings, solar box cookers, dryland farming, and much more; back issues are available. PDI offers a regular series of Permaculture Design Courses. EARTHWORD JOURNAL Eos Institute 580 Broadway, Suite 200 Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (714) 497-1896 Cost: $20, 4 issues EARTHWORD JOURNAL is a glossy permaculture magazine published collaboratively by Eos Institute and the Permaculture Institute of Southern California. It explores the ecological interface between urban and rural communities and is geared to the professional designer, architect, and land-use planner. Issue No. 6 was published in January 1996. TEMPERATE BAMBOO QUARTERLY Earth Advocates Research Facility 30 Myers Road Summertown, TN 38483 (615) 964-4151 Cost: $24, quarterly TEMPERATE BAMBOO QUARTERLY is a quarterly publication from Earth Advocates, a permaculture team run by Sue and Adam Turtle. It focuses on the bamboo plant which has unique, multi-purpose uses. They also operate a nursery with dozens of bamboo species. Permaculture Resources P.O. Box 65 56 Farmersville Rd Califon, N.J. 07830 (800) 832-6285 Educational publisher and distributor of permaculture resources and publications. agAccess P.O. Box 2008 Davis, CA 95616 (916) 756-7177 agAccess, primarily a mailorder bookstore but also a publishing company and for-profit information service, carries one of the largest selections of agricultural literature in North America. They specialize in sustainable agriculture and related resources. *********************************** Permaculture Resources in Australia *********************************** PERMACULTURE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL Permaculture International Ltd. P.O. Box PG6039 South Lismore, NSW 2480 Australia Phone: (066) 220 020 International: (066) 220 579 Cost: U.S. $24, quarterly **Available in the U.S. through THE PERMACULTURE ACTIVIST** PIJ serves as the leading periodical for permaculture worldwide. It contains articles, book reviews, and news of permacultural events around the world. It serves as an important networking tool. Back issues to the early 1980s are available for sale. THE PERMACULTURE EDGE Permaculture Nambour, Inc. P.O. Box 148 Inglewood 6050 Western Australia Cost: U.S. $20, quarterly **Available in the U.S. through THE PERMACULTURE ACTIVIST** THE PERMACULTURE EDGE aims to report activities that are seen to be at the cutting edge of permaculture developments around the world. The "permaculture edge" refers to the "edge effect" found at the boundaries of two ecological systems where there is more synergism, biological activity, and variations in the microenvironment and which can be used to increase yields in designed systems. It also points to permaculture ideas as being "at the edge" of a change in the push towards a sustainable future. International Permaculture Institute P.O. Box 1 Tyalgum, NSW 2484 Australia Phone: (066) 793 442 The International Permaculture Institute in Tyalgum, Australia, serves as the international coordinating organization for permaculture activities such as permaculture design accreditation. *************************************** Permaculture Resources Around the World *************************************** PERMACULTURE MAGAZINE UK: ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS FOR EVERYDAY LIFE Permanent Publications Hyden House Limited Little Hyden Lane Clandfield, Hampshire PO8 ORU England Cost: U.S. $24, quarterly **Available in the U.S. through THE PERMACULTURE ACTIVIST** A quarterly journal published in cooperation with the Permaculture Association of Great Britain. It contains articles, book reviews, and solutions from Britain and Europe. A good source for temperate agroforestry species and permaculture design projects. GROUND COVER Permaculture Association of Zimbabwe Box CY 301 Causeway, Harare Zimbabwe Telephone/Fax: (+4) 726911 Cost: U.S. $30, per year PERMACULTURE INDIA NEWSLETTER and ECOLOGICAL VISIONS Earthcare Books c/o Classic Books 10 Middleton St. Calcutta 700 071 India ============================================================== Books on Permaculture ============================================================== INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE by Bill Mollison and Reny Mia Slay. 1991. Tagari Publishers, Tyalgum, Australia. 198 p. PERMACULTURE ONE: A PERENNIAL AGRICULTURE FOR HUMAN SETTLEMENTS, 3rd ed (Reprint of 1978 ed) by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. 1987. Tagari Publishers, Tyalgum, New South Wales, Australia. 127 p. PERMACULTURE TWO: A PRACTICAL DESIGN FOR TOWN AND COUNTRY IN PERMANENT AGRICULTURE by Bill Mollison. 1979. Tagari Press, Stanley, Australia. 150 p. PERMACULTURE: A DESIGNER'S MANUAL by Bill Mollison. 1988. Tagari Publications, Tyalgum, Australia. 576 p. THE BEST OF PERMACULTURE by Max O. Lindegger and Robert Tap. 1986. Nascimanere Publishers, Nambour, Australia. 136 p. THE PERMACULTURE WAY: PRACTICAL WAYS TO CREATE A SELF-SUSTAINING WORLD by Graham Bell. 1992. Thorsons, London. 239 p. THE PERMACULTURE GARDEN by Graham Bell. 1994. Thorsons, London. 170 p. URBAN PERMACULTURE by David Watkins. 1993. Permanent Publications, U.K. 152 p. PERMACULTURE IN A NUTSHELL by Patrick Whitefield. 1993. Permanent Publications, U.K. 75 p. EARTH USER'S GUIDE TO PERMACULTURE by Rosemary Morrow and Rob Allsop. 1994. Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst, NSW Australia. 152 p. GETTING STARTED IN PERMACULTURE by Ross and Jennifer Mars. 1995. Candlelight Trust, Hovea, Western Australia. 60 p. ============================================================== A FEW GOOD BOOKS for the PERMACULTURIST'S BOOKSHELF ============================================================== CORNUCOPIA: A SOURCE BOOK OF EDIBLE PLANTS by Stephen Facciola. 1990. Kampong Publications, Vista, CA. 678 p. DESIGNING & MAINTAINING YOUR EDIBLE LANDSCAPE NATURALLY by Robert Kourick. 1986. Metamorphic Press, Santa Rosa, CA. 370 p. TREE CROPS: A PERMANENT AGRICULTURE by J. Russell Smith. 1987. Island Press, Washington, D.C. 408 p. THE PERMACULTURE BOOK OF FERMENT & HUMAN NUTRITION by Bill Mollison. 1993. Tagari Publications, Tyalgum, Australia. 288 p. ============================================================== ELECTRONIC SOURCES OF PERMACULTURE INFORMATION =============================================================== 1. Permaculture-Mg Internet Discussion List in the United States permaculture-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu To subscribe, send email to "almanac@amani.ces.ncsu.edu" with SUBSCRIBE PERMACULTURE-MG YOUR NAME in the body of email 2. Permaculture Discussion List in Western Australia perma@eepo.com.au To subscribe, send email to "listserv@eepo.com.au" with SUBSCRIBE PERMA YOUR NAME in the body of email 3. Organic Gardening & Permaculture Information http://sunsite.unc.edu/london/The_Sustainable_Farmstead.html http://sunsite.unc.edu/london/permaculture.html Email: london@sunsite.unc.edu 4. Permaculture Guide at Communications for a Sustainable Future http://csf.colorado.edu:8080/ 5. Permaculture International Journal (Australia) http://nornet.nor.com.au/environment/perma/ Email: pcjournal@peg.apc.org 6. International Permaculture Institute (Australia) Email: perminst@peg.apc.org 7. Permaculture Global Assistance Network (Australia) http://www.peg.apc.org/~pgan 8. Permaculture in Western Australia http://www.eepo.com.au/perma/ 9. Permaculture in South Australia - "What's Happening in Permaculture" http://dove.mtx.net.au/%7Esteveo/wotsnu.html 10. Correspondence Course on Permaculture (Australia) http://www.qldnet.com.au/acs 11. Permaculture Visions International's Correspondence Course (Australia) Email: askpv@ozemail.com.au 12. British Permaculture Magazine/Permanent Publications Web Site http://www.uea.ac.uk/~e415/home.html 13. PermaWeb in Great Britain http://www.sysmag.com/permaweb 14. Permaculture Association (Britain) http://www.sysmag.com/permaweb/groups/pcbritain 15. Bay Area Permaculture Group http://www.nbn.com/people/bapg/ 16. Permaculture Institute of Northern California http://www.nbn.com/people/bapg/pinc.html 17. Friends of the Trees http://www.pacificrim.net/~trees/ 18. Cross Timbers Permaculture Institute in Texas http://csf.colorado.edu/perma/ctpi/cross_t.htm Email: 7539.1353@compuserve.com 19. Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute Email: 103070.2354@compuserve.com 20. Permaculture on "Mind*Body*Spirit" (South Africa) http://www.pix.za/mbs/body/perma.htm 21. Permaculture on Carmela's Home Page http://www.ozoline.com.au/permaculture/index.html 22. Plants for a Future On-Line http://www.liv.ac.uk/~rmorris/pfaf/index.html 23. Institute for Bioregional Studies http://www.cycor.ca/IBS/ 24. EcoVillage Information Service http://www.gaia.org/ 25. Crystal Waters Permaculture Village http://www.gaia.org/crystalwaters/ 26. The Farm EcoVillage Training Center http://www.gaia.org/farm/ 27. Intentional Communities on the Web http://www.well.com/user/cmty/iclist.html 28. Findhorn http://www.gaia.org/findhorn/ 29. Arcosanti http://www.arcosanti.org 30. Auroville http://www.webcom.com/~miraura/aa/av/av.html 31. Permaculture FAQ on the Web Hyper-Text http://csf.colorado.edu/perma/faq.html Ascii-Text http://sunsite.unc.edu/london/permaculture/faq.v1.1 ============================================================== - * - ============================================================== The Permaculture FAQ was compiled by Steve Diver(*) for the permaculture-mg mailing list Send updates, comments, and corrections to: steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu or permaculture-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu (*) Permaculture Design Course graduate, Michaela Farm/Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana ============================================================= - * - ============================================================= From sals@rain.orgThu Feb 23 19:44:36 1995 Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 09:20:37 -0800 (PST) From: Sal Schettino To: jmayerna@nmsu.edu Cc: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: (Reply) Hot Sandy Soil I get my microbes from Petrik Laboratories 916-666-1157 fax 916-661-0489 and its been organic on CCOF cal.certified organic farmers list for years. I have put it out every year for over 8 years. A lot in the beginning to bring my land back to life and smaller amounts now. It has speeded up the natural process and made living soil a lot faster than nature could. A lot of farmer have killed off there lands life because they wanted only good production for today so adding microbes in my mind really helped me out. tHE problem some have is that there are no Microbes . You need them for substaniable ag. Essential plant nutrients are converted and released to crops,microbes are actively fixing nitrogen from air,they are active in decomposing cellulose,they are decomposing and mineralizing humates, they are mineralizing organic compounds of phosphorus and nitrifying microbes are active in promoting mineralization of humus. All crop residues should be recycled to the soil and microbes help decompose them. The thing I can see it and feel is that Microbes improves tilth . People have been using Microbes as compost starter I use it as a biofertillizer for imporveing the soil structure and assuring a balance in soil metabolism,with the production of stable humus. I feel the biological functions occuring in the soil are critical to maintaining a health,fertle soil. I wounder if there is much work going on researching Microbes. They use to laugh about it now I think they are taking a second look at it. I heard of EM in Japan and Cuba is doing some work there. In the olden days I heard they use to have to plant peaches they brought out west to Cal. with the soil from back home and those that didn't they lost their trees because there were not the microorganisms need for growth. You can add microbes just by take soil from a healthy tree and moving some to a place that has none. I love that rhizospheric microbial population. My understanding is that they take soil from a healthy place and take out the microbes from that soil and give them a life that leads them to grow fast and then they put back with a high Aerobic count and Anaerobic count,yeast count and etc. Its living so you are using a living thing so I guess they have to get just the right Microbe combo. I don't know how it works but It works for me. They need mosture. So I feel if you have water you can make Hot sandy soil good live soil with time. Microbes I feel will help to brake up compacted soil also. I have see my ground turn from something so hard I thought I needed a jackhammer now its like you springs on your feet. On Thu, 23 Feb 1995 jmayerna@NMSU.Edu wrote: > > ******************** YOUR MESSAGE: ******************** > >From sals@rain.org Wed Feb 22 20:56:16 1995 > To: Marc Safley > Cc: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu > Subject: Re: Hot Sandy Soil > In-Reply-To: > Mime-Version: 1.0 > Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII > > > In reply to getting a poor or questionable soil jump started, I'd like to know > where do you get the microorganisums to add? I know where to get the rock P > and K and buy or make compost, which brings/stimulates some microorganisums to > the soil system, but am I missing a valuable point? Can you obtain a bottle of > microorganisums and inoculate a soil to reestablish the soil biology? If this > is possible and available what are we waiting for and why isn't everybody using > it? > > > > > ***************************************************** > * From: J. Mayernak, jmayerna@nmsu.edu > * > * Agricultural Science Center -N.M.S.U.- > * > * Phone:(505)461-1620V; (505)461-1631F > ***************************************************** > > Distribution via One Button Mail: > (UNIX) TO: sals@rain.org sals@rain.org > (UNIX) CC: sanet sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu > > OBM: 159 > > Sal Schettino,Organic Farmer,don't panic eat organic,sals@rain.org or check out my homepage: http://www.rain.org/~sals/my.html From nikki@trmphrst.demon.co.uk Date: Sun, 23 Oct 94 17:42:48 GMT From: Nikki Locke To: london@sunsite.unc.edu Subject: Plants for a Future database Re: information request: lambsquarters > Is this database available as a commercial program, shareware, or on the > Internet? for PC, UNIX or Mac? Is it available in the U.S.A.? The database in is Microsoft Access for Windows format. I got it by sending 3 disks to Plants for a Future here in the UK. The database is about 13 MB (uncompressed). Write to: Ken Fern, Plants for a Future, The Field Higher Penpol St. Veep Nr. Lostwithiel Cornwall PL22 0NG England Enclosing 3 1.44MB disks and reply-paid postage or coupon or whatever. You may have seen some of Ken's articles in Permaculture magazine. -- Nikki Locke,Trumphurst Ltd.(PC & Unix consultancy) nikki@trmphrst.demon.co.uk trmphrst.demon.co.uk is NOT affiliated with ANY other sites at demon.co.uk. From robgil@yesyou.u-net.comFri Mar 15 10:35:36 1996 Date: Thu, 14 Mar 1996 09:32:15 -0000 From: Rob Squires / Gill Ellison To: permaculture-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: The address of Huge Permaculture Plant database Hello hwaldock, >Hello: > >Does anybody know of who has the address of the huge permaculture plant >database I saw advertised in one of the permculture magazines? > >I know it was from the south of England. Plants for a future are in Cornwall, and you can't go much further south than that in England. They have a database of some 7,000 edible and useful plants which can be grown outdoors in temperate climate. Plants for a Future, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, Tel. 01208 873554 / 872963. WWW: http://www.liv.ac.uk/~rmorris/pfaf/index.html >I will do things for the person who can tell me where it is. Oooh Rob ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rob Squires of CTCSystems --- Coaptation Towards Collectivism --- Gill Ellison - Age Concern St.Helens ++++ A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO LIFE +++ http://www.u-net.com/~yesyou/home.htm E:Mail:robgil@yesyou.u-net.com Phone/Fax (01744) 612778 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  .€ .. rfi.1 Ørfi.2From auhice4c@ibmmail.comWed Mar 22 22:30:38 1995 Date: Wed, 22 Mar 1995 21:35:55 EST From: " Mike Smith auhicmds@ibmmail.com LISTENV - HICNET" To: agric-econ@mailbase.ac.uk, airpolution-biology@mailbase.ac.uk, bean-l@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU, composting@mailbase.ac.uk, eagr@mailbase.ac.uk, ecocity@searn.sunet.se, ecoct-01@searn.sunet.se, ecol-agric@mailbase.ac.uk, econ-lets@mailbase.ac.uk, ecoCT-A@searn.sunet.se, env-physiol@mailbase.ac.uk, enviroethics@mailbase.ac.uk, envst-l@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU, esrc-pacific-asia@mailbase.ac.uk, et-frej@searn.sunet.se, et-loke@searn.sunet.se, et-oden@sMIME-Version Subject: Mike Smith, Permaculture, Discussion Lists & Net Perma. Jour ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, My name is Mike Smith and I am the editor of several environment newsletters in Australia (full list of other functions at end of this message). The purpose of this document is to introduce myself, ask a whole lot of questions that I am desperate for answers on and find out if people are aware of the Permaculture concept and if there is any interest in setting up a list for this topic. Permaculture is described below in more detail. I am new to the net, and I only have EMail access. This makes it hard to find out about discussion lists, so I don't know of any Permaculture lists that may exist already, so: Q1. Does anybody know of any Permaculture lists. If so please reply to I am in the process of finding out about lists on topics that relate to Permaculture which is a very wide field. Instead of trying to give an exhaustive list of subject areas, here are some fields I am interested in: The Environment Ecology Sustainable Agriculture Community Building Project Finance Ongoing Projects Community Aid Sustainability Self-help Community Forestry Bio-regionalism LETS Organics Healthy Cities Alternative Economics Enviro Ethics Agric. History Urban Planning Waste Management Recycling Energy Enviro Education Water Purification Economic Regionalism Population Growth Landscape Architec Town Planning Enviro Investment Food Production Enviro Contamination Green Business Legislative Inititives If you can post this message on an appropriate forum or discussion list I will be grateful. __________________________ Permaculture - What is it? The sad reality is that we are in danger of perishing from our own stupidity and lack of personal responsibility to life. If we become extinct because of factors beyond our control, then we can at least die with pride in ourselves, but to create a mess in which we perish by our own inaction makes nonsense of our claims to consciousness and morality. Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the concious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in an ecologically sustainable way. The concept can be applied to a balcony garden, an urban backyard, community gardens or even broadacre farming. The philosophy behind permaculture is one of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather that protracted and thoughtless action; of looking at systems in all their functions, rather than asking only one yield of them; and of allowing systems to demonstrate their own evolutions. The permaculture movement has no central structure, but rather a strong sense of shared work. Everybody is free to act as an individual, to form a small group, or to work within any other organisation. We cooperate with many other groups with diverse beliefs. Our approach includes good practices from many disciplines and systems, and offers them as an integrated whole. The concept was first developed in 1974 by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in Tasmania, Australia. There are now groups in over eighty countries connected by an association based upon education, sharing information and providing tangible assistance. Many books have been published on this subject, ranging in size and detail from the main text "Designer's Manual" (576 pages), to small booklets. Enlightened self-interest leads us to evolve ethics of sustainable and sensible behaviour. These then are the ethics expressed in permaculture. Having evolved ethics, we can devise ways to apply them to our lives, economies, gardens, land and nature. This is what permaculture is about: the mechanisms of mature ethical behaviour, or how to act to sustain the earth. Q3. Are people interested in a Net Permaculture Journal. Something you can subscribe to or which might be sent out to existing lists on a regular basis? Please reply to I offered to start one up last year but committments made this impossible. My apologies to those who expressed interest. Q4. Would anybody be interested in colaborating on a project to produce a Network Permaculture Journal. Perhaps by forming an international editorial group to work on it. Please reply to Regards, Mike SMith My Hat Collection: Convenor, Permaculture ACT (PACT) - ACT=Australian Capital Territory Editor, The Mulch (Monthly Journal of Permaculture ACT), hardcopy Editor, Net Permaculture Newsletter (??? project being initiated???) Treasurer, Australian Centre for Ecologically Sustainable Systems (ACESS) National E-Mail Administrator, Health Insurance Commission, Australia You can contact me on: Internet........auhicmds@ibmmail.com X.400...........G=Mike S=Smith P=ausgovhic A=ibmx400 C=au Snail Mail......10/6 Antis St, Phillip ACT 2606, Australia Pager...........+ 61 6 269 0425 Voice...........+ 61 6 203 6040 Home............+ 61 6 285 2786 _____________________________________________________________________________ If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem ___________________________________ the end _________________________________ From hdt1@cornell.eduMon Aug 21 12:40:08 1995 Date: Mon, 21 Aug 1995 08:11:31 -0500 From: "H. David Thurston" Reply to: indknow@u.washington.edu To: indknow@u.washington.edu Cc: lhf2@cornell.edu Subject: Slash/mulch system question [The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Slash/mulch system question: I am attempting to compile information and write a book on the little known slash/mulch systems of the tropics. Some such systems are still being used by indigenous peoples; these and some of more recent green manure/cover crop systems are being studied and adapted as an alternative to slash and burn. Although the literature on the various slash and burn systems used throughout the tropics is extensive, few references can be found regarding slash/mulch systems, which are probably far more important in the hot, humid tropics than most authorities realize. I believe that slash/mulch systems have often been overlooked or perhaps mistaken as a slash and burn system. Slash/mulch systems are those in which vegetation is slashed or cut in situ to produce a mulch that is subsequently used for an agricultural crop. There are innumerable variations of slash/mulch systems and practices ranging from the slash/mulch systems in tropical forests, where it is too wet to burn, to the frijol tapado systems, coppicing and pruning trees to produce a mulch, the alley cropping systems, the popal system, the riverbank sajal system, and the velvet bean/maize (abonera) system. There are numerous references to the frijol tapado or "covered bean" system used in Central America, but I have found little literature on other slash/mulch systems as used in the tropics. Victor Manuel Patiño lists numerous early Spanish chroniclers who described the use of the slash/mulch system for various crops soon after their arrival in the Americas. More recently, several authors (R.C. West, Hiraoka and Yamamoto) have described slash/mulch systems used in Columbia and Ecuador. Schiefflin and others describes the use of a slash/mulch system in Papua New Guinea. I have described a few of the various slash/mulch practices in my recent book (Thurston, H. D. 1992. Sustainable Practices for Plant Disease Management in Traditional Farming Systems. Westview Press, Boulder, CO. 279 pp.). It is through the initial investigations for this book that I began to realize the potential of slash/mulch practices to increase the sustainability of small-scale agriculture, especially the destructive slash and burn systems that are practiced by many resource-poor farmers in the tropics. In 1992 we organized a multidisciplinary workshop on Slash/Mulch Practices which included 90 Latin American and North American researchers. It was held from October 12-16, 1992 in Costa Rica. The proceedings of the workshop have been published in both English and Spanish. If you are interested in the proceedings (Thurston, H. D., M. Smith, G. Abawi, and S. Kearl (eds.) 1994. Slash/Mulch: How Farmers Use It, and What Researchers Know About It.. CIIFAD and CATIE, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY. 329 pp.) I would be pleased to send you a copy. If you have references to such systems or can suggest colleagues that might have information on slash/mulch systems as used in the tropics, I would appreciate hearing from you. Your help in this matter will be most appreciated. H. David Thurston Dept. of Plant Pathology Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-7835 (FAX-4471) "Sustainable agriculture with a sense of humus." From sustag@beta.tricity.wsu.eduWed Apr 12 12:45:04 1995 Date: Wed, 12 Apr 1995 07:17:31 -0700 (PDT) From: "Tom Hodges (moderated newsgroup)" To: Principles of Sustainable Agriculture Subject: Joel Grossman's Excellent Post (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 12 Apr 1995 07:03:28 -0700 (PDT) From: Tom Hodges To: "Tom Hodges (moderated newsgroup)" Subject: Joel Grossman's Excellent Post (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 12 Apr 1995 00:11:31 -0700 (PDT) From: Charles Benbrook To: sanet Cc: benbrook@hillnet.com Subject: Joel Grossman's Excellent Post Geez, SANET has had some really good posts lately. Joel -- thanks for adding some important details to discussion of disease suppressive soils. I too have looked long and hard through the literature in about 20 disciplines, talked to many experts, spent lots of time with farmers who know the difference between a disease suppressive soil and one which just does not seem able to slow down nematodes and pathogens. My research/contacts lead me to a plausible explanation of why the unfumigated trees catch up with the fumigated ones. Scientists have now documented at several levels, in many crops, a phenomenon called systemic acquired resistance. This is the mechanism whereby a plant attains a strong, or high degree of capacity to express its inherent potential immune response, its ability to withstand or overcome pest or stress attacks. Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is sort of like a mammals response to allergy shots; to "work", or to happen, a plant must be exposed to some level of a pathogen early in its growth, when its immune system is, in effect, being turned on and stretching to accomodate, as best it can, the threats it thinks it will encounter in its environment. A plant or tree's immune response is, in effect, fully formed after it goes through early maturation. If the plant/tree is not subjected to a pathogen when its immune system is "growing", or gaining the capacity to "kick in" in response to particular pathogen pressure, it will never be fully able. It is a "need it early and use it early, or lose the capacity to develop it" phenomenon. This much we know. So, my guess is that plants/trees growing up in fumigated soils are not exposed to the low levels of pathogen attack needed to stimulate SAR. Hence such plants may grow well early on in the abscence of pest pressure, but later on when they SHOULD NATURALLY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND a degree of pressure, they are immunological weaklings, having lacked the chance to "grow up with" the pathogens that are a normal part of their environment. I have some other more cmplex ideas/theories about mechanisms through which SAR is triggered, and how different management systems affect it, but this is not the time or place. Anybody encountered such an explanation before? Bob Goodman at Univ. Wisconsin plant path. dept, Joseph Kuc at Kentucky are two of the brightest, most broadly knowledgeful people on SAR and farming systems. Several excellent papers have been published in Science and elsewhere describing the mechanism. It is fascinating science, and lies at the heart of disease suppressive soils. My guess is that the capacity of a soil to suppress disease has as much to do with how soil microorganisms trigger plant physiological processes, especially SAR, as it does about microbial biocontrol of plant pathogens. From san@nal.usda.govWed Jun 12 15:48:29 1996 Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 17:00:54 -0400 (EDT) From: "Andy Clark, SAN Coordinator" To: sanet-mg Subject: New Video (fwd) Here's a useful product from a SARE grant. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 12:51:32 -0500 From: Beth Holtzman To: SAN@nal.usda.gov Subject: New Video N E W S R E L E A S E For Release: Immediately Contact: Beth Holtzman Phone: 802-656-0554 Successful Vegetable Farmers and Their Weed Control Machines Star in New Video If you're interested in mechanical weed control but don't have the opportunity to learn how successful farmers use their tools, here's a new video for you. "Vegetable Farmers and Their Weed Control Machines," is the next best thing to being there. From sweeps and rotary hoes to flame weeders and home-made tools, this high-quality, 75-minute video demonstrates many of the available cultivation implements. It also explains some of the weed control strategies being used effectively by New England vegetable farmers. "Vegetable farmers have considerable knowledge about cultivation equipment," says University of Vermont Vegetable and Berry Specialist Vern Grubinger. "This video was produced in an attempt to get some of the knowledge on film so it could be easily shared." Grubinger and University of Massachusetts Weed IPM Specialist Mary Jane Else worked with UVM videographers to produce the video. Their goal was to help extension educators and growers improve their knowledge of weed control equipment. The USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program provided funding for the project. While the video focuses on New England growers, the information presented is applicable to smaller-scale vegetable farms in many parts of the country. It shows how the implements work and how producers adapt their use for production goals and site-specific conditions. "We visited nine farmers in three states to get their opinions on various pieces of equipment and how to use them," Grubinger says. "Direct market, wholesale, conventional, and organic growers were included." The video features plenty of clear, up-close footage of various pieces of machinery in use on a variety of vegetable crops. Tools demonstrated include: Buddingh basket and finger weeders, Lely tine weeders, rotary hoes, rolling cultivars, Bezzerides implements, various sweeps, as well as backpack and tractor-mounted flame weeders. Some home-made tools for cultivating the edges of plastic mulch are also described. The nine growers explain how the different pieces of equipment work and describe how the various tools fit into their overall weed control strategy. The producers also tell some of the pros and cons of specific equipment. The video is available for $10 including postage. Make checks payable to UVM Extension and include a note with your name and mailing address. Send to: UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 590 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405-0059. ************************************ Beth Holtzman Northeast Region SARE/ACE Programs Phone: 802-656-0554 Fax: 802-656-4656 e-mail: bholtzma@moose.uvm.edu ************************************ From san@nal.usda.govWed Jun 12 15:47:16 1996 Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 17:00:54 -0400 (EDT) From: "Andy Clark, SAN Coordinator" To: sanet-mg Subject: New Video (fwd) Here's a useful product from a SARE grant. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 12:51:32 -0500 From: Beth Holtzman To: SAN@nal.usda.gov Subject: New Video N E W S R E L E A S E For Release: Immediately Contact: Beth Holtzman Phone: 802-656-0554 Successful Vegetable Farmers and Their Weed Control Machines Star in New Video If you're interested in mechanical weed control but don't have the opportunity to learn how successful farmers use their tools, here's a new video for you. "Vegetable Farmers and Their Weed Control Machines," is the next best thing to being there. From sweeps and rotary hoes to flame weeders and home-made tools, this high-quality, 75-minute video demonstrates many of the available cultivation implements. It also explains some of the weed control strategies being used effectively by New England vegetable farmers. "Vegetable farmers have considerable knowledge about cultivation equipment," says University of Vermont Vegetable and Berry Specialist Vern Grubinger. "This video was produced in an attempt to get some of the knowledge on film so it could be easily shared." Grubinger and University of Massachusetts Weed IPM Specialist Mary Jane Else worked with UVM videographers to produce the video. Their goal was to help extension educators and growers improve their knowledge of weed control equipment. The USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program provided funding for the project. While the video focuses on New England growers, the information presented is applicable to smaller-scale vegetable farms in many parts of the country. It shows how the implements work and how producers adapt their use for production goals and site-specific conditions. "We visited nine farmers in three states to get their opinions on various pieces of equipment and how to use them," Grubinger says. "Direct market, wholesale, conventional, and organic growers were included." The video features plenty of clear, up-close footage of various pieces of machinery in use on a variety of vegetable crops. Tools demonstrated include: Buddingh basket and finger weeders, Lely tine weeders, rotary hoes, rolling cultivars, Bezzerides implements, various sweeps, as well as backpack and tractor-mounted flame weeders. Some home-made tools for cultivating the edges of plastic mulch are also described. The nine growers explain how the different pieces of equipment work and describe how the various tools fit into their overall weed control strategy. The producers also tell some of the pros and cons of specific equipment. The video is available for $10 including postage. Make checks payable to UVM Extension and include a note with your name and mailing address. Send to: UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 590 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405-0059. ************************************ Beth Holtzman Northeast Region SARE/ACE Programs Phone: 802-656-0554 Fax: 802-656-4656 e-mail: bholtzma@moose.uvm.edu ************************************ From san@nal.usda.govWed Jun 12 15:47:38 1996 Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 17:00:54 -0400 (EDT) From: "Andy Clark, SAN Coordinator" To: sanet-mg Subject: New Video (fwd) Here's a useful product from a SARE grant. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 12:51:32 -0500 From: Beth Holtzman To: SAN@nal.usda.gov Subject: New Video N E W S R E L E A S E For Release: Immediately Contact: Beth Holtzman Phone: 802-656-0554 Successful Vegetable Farmers and Their Weed Control Machines Star in New Video If you're interested in mechanical weed control but don't have the opportunity to learn how successful farmers use their tools, here's a new video for you. "Vegetable Farmers and Their Weed Control Machines," is the next best thing to being there. From sweeps and rotary hoes to flame weeders and home-made tools, this high-quality, 75-minute video demonstrates many of the available cultivation implements. It also explains some of the weed control strategies being used effectively by New England vegetable farmers. "Vegetable farmers have considerable knowledge about cultivation equipment," says University of Vermont Vegetable and Berry Specialist Vern Grubinger. "This video was produced in an attempt to get some of the knowledge on film so it could be easily shared." Grubinger and University of Massachusetts Weed IPM Specialist Mary Jane Else worked with UVM videographers to produce the video. Their goal was to help extension educators and growers improve their knowledge of weed control equipment. The USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program provided funding for the project. While the video focuses on New England growers, the information presented is applicable to smaller-scale vegetable farms in many parts of the country. It shows how the implements work and how producers adapt their use for production goals and site-specific conditions. "We visited nine farmers in three states to get their opinions on various pieces of equipment and how to use them," Grubinger says. "Direct market, wholesale, conventional, and organic growers were included." The video features plenty of clear, up-close footage of various pieces of machinery in use on a variety of vegetable crops. Tools demonstrated include: Buddingh basket and finger weeders, Lely tine weeders, rotary hoes, rolling cultivars, Bezzerides implements, various sweeps, as well as backpack and tractor-mounted flame weeders. Some home-made tools for cultivating the edges of plastic mulch are also described. The nine growers explain how the different pieces of equipment work and describe how the various tools fit into their overall weed control strategy. The producers also tell some of the pros and cons of specific equipment. The video is available for $10 including postage. Make checks payable to UVM Extension and include a note with your name and mailing address. Send to: UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 590 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405-0059. ************************************ Beth Holtzman Northeast Region SARE/ACE Programs Phone: 802-656-0554 Fax: 802-656-4656 e-mail: bholtzma@moose.uvm.edu ************************************ From san@nal.usda.govWed Jun 12 15:48:04 1996 Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 17:00:54 -0400 (EDT) From: "Andy Clark, SAN Coordinator" To: sanet-mg Subject: New Video (fwd) Here's a useful product from a SARE grant. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 12:51:32 -0500 From: Beth Holtzman To: SAN@nal.usda.gov Subject: New Video N E W S R E L E A S E For Release: Immediately Contact: Beth Holtzman Phone: 802-656-0554 Successful Vegetable Farmers and Their Weed Control Machines Star in New Video If you're interested in mechanical weed control but don't have the opportunity to learn how successful farmers use their tools, here's a new video for you. "Vegetable Farmers and Their Weed Control Machines," is the next best thing to being there. From sweeps and rotary hoes to flame weeders and home-made tools, this high-quality, 75-minute video demonstrates many of the available cultivation implements. It also explains some of the weed control strategies being used effectively by New England vegetable farmers. "Vegetable farmers have considerable knowledge about cultivation equipment," says University of Vermont Vegetable and Berry Specialist Vern Grubinger. "This video was produced in an attempt to get some of the knowledge on film so it could be easily shared." Grubinger and University of Massachusetts Weed IPM Specialist Mary Jane Else worked with UVM videographers to produce the video. Their goal was to help extension educators and growers improve their knowledge of weed control equipment. The USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program provided funding for the project. While the video focuses on New England growers, the information presented is applicable to smaller-scale vegetable farms in many parts of the country. It shows how the implements work and how producers adapt their use for production goals and site-specific conditions. "We visited nine farmers in three states to get their opinions on various pieces of equipment and how to use them," Grubinger says. "Direct market, wholesale, conventional, and organic growers were included." The video features plenty of clear, up-close footage of various pieces of machinery in use on a variety of vegetable crops. Tools demonstrated include: Buddingh basket and finger weeders, Lely tine weeders, rotary hoes, rolling cultivars, Bezzerides implements, various sweeps, as well as backpack and tractor-mounted flame weeders. Some home-made tools for cultivating the edges of plastic mulch are also described. The nine growers explain how the different pieces of equipment work and describe how the various tools fit into their overall weed control strategy. The producers also tell some of the pros and cons of specific equipment. The video is available for $10 including postage. Make checks payable to UVM Extension and include a note with your name and mailing address. Send to: UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 590 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405-0059. ************************************ Beth Holtzman Northeast Region SARE/ACE Programs Phone: 802-656-0554 Fax: 802-656-4656 e-mail: bholtzma@moose.uvm.edu ************************************ From jens@icon.co.zaThu Jun 6 21:54:04 1996 Date: Thu, 6 Jun 96 21:32:25 PDT From: jens@icon.co.za To: eaf-l@eaf.com Subject: Long-Interested South African. Resent-Date: Thu, 6 Jun 1996 15:34:38 -0400 (EDT) Resent-From: eaf-l@eaf.com To all interested friends of the EcoAgroForrestry List, A friend (Jo-anne Vosloo) and myself (Sally Giebelmann) are both small self-sufficient, free range, organic farmers in the North West Province of South Africa near the small town of Brits. We farm with egg laying & broiler chickens, ducks, geese, fish, rabbits, pigeons, pigs, meat & milk goats, vegetables, earthworms, herbs and horses. Sally produces eggs, milk & meat, for sale above home consumption, and processes excess goat milk into yoghurt and cheese. Jo-anne produces meat on a minimal bought feed system. Between the two of us we practice communal farming even though we both have our own farms, and they are about 30km apart (approx 18 and a half miles). We do this by, amongst other things, sharing all information we have access to and knowledge gained from many years of farming. We are continually experimenting with indigenous animals. With some animals we cross breed the indigenous with an animal designed for an intensive system. The result is a hardier, better end product for the consumer. We barter animals, feed, equipment and labor. Goods which have no use on one farm, that can be utilized on the other, are exchanged. Just about anything is bartered between our two operations, including notice of any special bargains to be had elsewhere as in stock or feed etc. A running record is kept, as to what moves between us and a cash value is allocated to each entry, although no money actually changes hands. >From using this communal system for the past two years, we have been able to increase productivity, reduce the operating costs, diversify the farming activities, thereby reduce risks involved and have a far broader base of knowledge concerning feeding animals, animal health, improved use of land and other natural resources. We efficiently use a variety of waste materials from various sectors, business and farming to our advantage. We are now able to enjoy a large variety of fresh food which is nutritious, and yet cheaper than store bought. Roast duck or goat are commonly enjoyed meals on our tables, we either would not be able to afford these luxuries, or simply would not find them over the average shop counter. Jo-anne has written a book about animal husbandry which Sally is in the process of illustrating, it is shortly to be published. The subjects discussed concern raising animals in intensive systems and the "free range" method. Other chapters detail feed animal health, and topics relating to animal production and vegetables. In the future we will be publishing a magazine three times a year concerning these particular subjects, animals, vegetables and the processing and use of the products. Sally opens her farm for school children to visit. The children experience and learn about the wonders of farm animals. We operate a small office for our own convenience, gathering information by telephone, fax and computer, while communicating with small and large farmers worldwide, also other professional or practicing people and organizations at all levels. Where ever possible, we are also willing to exchange information. Jo-anne and I have submitted a proposal to our local government in the hopes of receiving some funding towards a project of ours. As yet we have not registered a non profit business / trust, as this can only be done once funding is available. We have named our project: SHE Community Systems. Self-sufficient Healthy and Educational Communal Farming. The proposal is for the development and training of our people living in disadvantaged communities in the North West Province. Jo-anne and myself would like to offer our services as consultants, and train the communities to become as self-sufficient and sustainable as possible within their individual needs, values, traditional cultures and skills. We would also encourage community farming, and be available as an information service to our area, once the communities are self-reliant. With the implementation of this scheme, we will not only be teaching the people to feed themselves, but will be encouraging those with initiative to become more innovative and creative in their attitude and approach to ecological self-suffiency and later on possibly develop a more commercial farming operation while still retaining the ecologically sound background we promote. This change will not occur overnight, but after laying a stable foundation, an improvement will be seen at various levels over a period of time. Jo-anne and I believe that in this manner we will be addressing the need to feed our people, keep them healthier, create more job opportunities and stimulate the communities economy and spirit, interaction, education and dialog. We would like to stay in contact with all of you on the EAF list, as i'm sure you could offer us very valuable advise, and possibly some exchange. Could any one put us into contact with other like minded practical people or organizations in South Africa or Africa in particular, that would be beneficial to both parties? If you have the same interests, please feel free to contact us, no matter which country you live in. Has any one out there an idea of possible funding, sponsorship / donations and / or equipment we could get from elsewhere, once SHE Community Systems has been registered? Thankyou in advance for taking up your time, and any knowledge you are able to pass on to us. Kind Regards Sally and Jo-anne. Postal Address: Zenzele Farm Or Jo-Jo's Place P.O. Box 2117 P.O. Box 2798 Randburg Brits 2125 0252 South Africa. South Africa. Telephone: +27 1211 502 899 +27 1211 540 454 Cell phone: 082 448 9505 Fax: +27 1211 502 517 E-mail: jens@icon.co.za ------------------------------------- Sally and Jens-Birger Giebelmann E-mail: jens@icon.co.za Date: 05/22/96 Time: 18:50:10 This message was sent by Zenzele Farm Brits, NWP, South Africa Tel.: +27 1211 502899 Fax.: +27 1211 502517 ------------------------------------- From c_dbowen@qualcomm.comMon Apr 10 15:18:47 1995 Date: Mon, 10 Apr 1995 11:50:55 -0700 From: Don Bowen Reply to: homestead@world.std.com To: homestead@world.std.com Subject: Modern farming [The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] I pulled this off a web site for Practical Farmers of Iowa. In this he seems to be saying many of the things we have discussed in this forum many times. I got there through Sal's web page. SHARED VISIONS COMMUNITY WORKSHOP PRESENTATION GREENFIELD, IOWA AUGUST 4, 1994 Clark BreDahl (Editors' note: This is text from a presntation by Clark BreDahl during the visit to Greenfield. Clark farms and is on the Neely-Kinyon Farm Project Committee.) To share a vision, each of us must first have a vision of our own; a vision of where we would like our business to be a few years hence; a vision of what we would like our community to look like, and a perspective as to where our community will fit into the grand scheme of things years down the road. Finally, after we have planted those visions clearly in our minds, we need a plan as to how we will achieve our goals....Without a plan, our visions will never become realities. >From an agricultural perspective, life has perhaps changed more in the past twenty years than it did in the previous two hundred of our nation s existence. And though technology has been frequently mentioned as the culprit, I think it has to be viewed as a two-edged sword that can either help or hinder us. One thing is certain. Technology will not go away. If we do not use it, others will. The key is getting technology and research to solve problems for us, rather than create new ones. It follows then that to come up with the right answers, we must first ask the right questions. That is where a Shared Visions approach can help. When I survey the changes that have occurred in farming since I came back to the area in 1974, I don t notice the technological or mechanical differences nearly as much as I do the structural changes. When we talk about ninety percent of all fresh vegetables consumed in the United States now being grown in the San Juaquin Valley of California, rather than on scattered farms throughout each state in the Union, that is a fundamental, structural change of overwhelming proportions. When we talk about chicken surpassing pork and beef to become the most popular meat in the U.S., and six huge conglomerates producing seventy-five percent of all consumption and controlling all facets of production and processing from hatch to retail meat counter that is fundamental. When we talk about California taking over as the leading dairy producing state, and over 50 percent of all dairy production in this country now coming from herds of five hundred head or more that s fundamental. How many farmers in Adair County still raise chickens? How many farmers in Adair County still milk cows? And how many of you came from farm homes like mine where forty years ago the egg check and cream check used to provide the lion s share of our family s spending money? That s fundamental change. How many times in recent years have you heard someone say, Somebody s going to farm the land and raise the livestock...What difference does it make who it is? To me it makes all the difference in the world regarding the quality of life we in rural Iowa will have. For us, people and prosperity may be inseparable. I think we will not have one without the other. If I am still a farmer 20 years from now perhaps by some stroke of luck even a wealthy farmer but my wife has to drive thirty miles for groceries, sixty miles to buy parts for my tractor, twenty miles to the nearest church or school, seventy-five miles to the nearest doctor, hospital or movie theater, or five miles down the road to the nearest neighbor s house, then our own personal financial success will have been a mighty hollow victory. If at that time the local retirement home is the largest employer in town, as it is already in some, we will know we have probably passed the point of no return as a viable economic community. Our federal government has struggled for fifty years to implement policies to aid in the conservation of our soil and water resources. And regardless of how effective you think those programs have been, it seems to me they hve continually overlooked the most obvious solution the pride involved in maintaining families on the land. I continually marvel that where there is a plan to hand the land down from generation to the next, there is also a plan, usually well implemented, to hand the land down in as good or better shape than it was received. I heard it once said that, the difference between family farms and corporate agriculture is that corporations don t have grandkids! It s a simplistic definition, but it s a profound impact statement. No question about it, our most valuable crop or resource is not our corn, beans, hogs or cattle, or even our rich fertile soil. It is our young people. And unfortunately they are also our biggest export. We raise bright kids around here. We have good schools, dedicated teachers; parents, friends and churches who teach real values, and communities where a strong work ethic is ingrained early as part of our heritage. Talk about producing a product the market wants....The big cities gobble up our best and brightest as fast as we can ship them out and usually pay a handsome premium for quality! I m convinced some of those young people would like to stay or return to this area s farms and small business communities. Many, I think, would even take a substantial pay cut to do it. But when you tell a young couple that in addition, they are going to have to each hold down two full time jobs (as some economists have suggested as a route to get into farming), the city usually wins the competition hands down. Environmental concerns and interest from outside as well as within farming about sustainable agriculture could have a tremendous impact on the survival of family farms and rural communities. I think we need to make our plans accordingly. What started out as low input farming didn t stay that way very long. People came to quickly realize there is no such thing as low input farming. The best we can do is substitute inputs: labor for capital, management for capital, marketing skills for production volume. The list could be lengthy. The exciting part is that there are countless ways we can foster economic growth and efficiency on family farms and in small communities without investing millions of dollars at a time to do it. Maybe it shows my conservative streak, but I like that approach much better than the more common corporate philosophy these days of substituting capital for virtually every other tool in the production chain. I am very excited about the prospects for research, education and demonstration at both the Neely and Armstrong farms here in southwest Iowa. We have strong individual and community support, combined with Iowa State University s technology and strong financial commitment. These farms and their accompanying facilities will be powerful tools to give us all the right answers. Hopefully a powerful vision for the future of this area s farms and communities will first help us ask all the right questions. | Donald E. Bowen donb@cts.com Valley Center CA. c_dbowen@qualcomm.com Software Engineer, woodworker, historian, beekeeper, farmboy model railroader, 1936 Farmall 12, 1966 Corvair CORSA 140 convertible 1 wife, 3 kids, 2 acres, 2 cats, 2 dogs, ? projects, no TV, 24 hours From: danwinter@igc.apc.org (Dan Winter) Newsgroups: rec.gardens Subject: Soil Remineralization Forum Message-ID: <1453300624@cdp> Date: 28 Apr 94 01:05:00 GMT Sender: Notesfile to Usenet Gateway Lines: 152 From: Dan Winter /* SOIL REMINERALIZATION & SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE */ /* written 4pm 4/26/94 by David Yarrow in en.agriculture */ For Immediate Release Forum Soil Remineralization and Sustainable Agriculture SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND, APRIL 14, 1994 -- An invitation has been issued to join a one-day forum to explore the potential of soil remineralization for sustainable agriculture. The Forum will be held on May 24, 1994 (with a dinner the evening of May 23 at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service Center, Beltsville, Maryland. Natural stone and aggregate materials and fines produced from crushed stone, sand and gravel contain a broad spectrum of minerals and trace elements that can be applied to soils. Potential benefits are increased yields and long term soil fertility that is sustainable and ecologically sound. There is also a potential for pest control, co-utilization with sewage sludge or wastewater technologies, bioremediation of soils and other areas of sustainable development. The effect on nutritional content of remineralized crops is an important factor in the examination of the value of remineralization. The main emphasis of the one-day Forum will be on sustainable agriculture. These issues should greatly interest all those concerned with environmental and economic sustainability, especially for agriculture and forestry, creating long term soil fertility and enhancing the nutritional content of food. The Forum will take a look at the results of remineralization around the world, as well as prior and current research. The diverse audience will also explore its future potential, and the possibility of forming partnerships involving government, industry, farmers, and universities which will contribute to future exploration of remineralization and sustainability. The effects on soils and plants will be examined along with effects on human nutrition. Perspectives on soil remineralization will come from those that have advocated remineralization; the aggregate and stone industries, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Speakers will come from the fields of agriculture, geology, forestry, nutrition, and the environment. Presenters will include: * Mr. Greg Watson, Northeast Director, Nature Conservancy * Dr. Robert Bruck, State University, North Carolina * Dr. William Fyfe, Pres., International Union of Geological Sciences * Dr. Bernadette Marriott, National Research Council The Forum is being hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture/ Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Bureau of Mines, National Stone Association, and National Aggregates Association. For registration, contact Engineering Division of National Aggregates Association, 900 Spring Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 301-587-1400, Fax: 301-585-4219. The Forum will be held in the main auditorium, Building 003, on the west side of US Route 1 just north of the Capital Beltway (I-95) on Circle Drive at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. The dinner the evening before (and lodging if needed) will be held at the nearby Holiday Inn, College Park, also located on the west side of US Route 1 at 10000 Baltimore Blvd. Phone 301-345-6700 for reservations. Conference sponsors are: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Dr. Ron Korcak Bldg. 004, Room 119, BARC-West, Beltsville, MD 20705 U. S. Bureau of Mines Dr. Aldo Barsotti 810 7th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20241 National Aggregates Association Mr. Richard Meininger 900 Spring Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910 National Stone Association Mr. Larry Quinlivan, Mr. Charles A. Pryor, Jr. 1415 Elliot Place, NW, Washington, DC 20007 Workshop Agenda Forum on Soil Remineralization Monday, May 23, 1994 Building 003, USDA/ARS Noon to 5:00 p.m. - Poster Set-Up 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Registration, Holiday Inn, 10000 Baltimore Blvd. 7:00 p.m. Buffet Dinner at Holiday Inn Guest Speaker - Mr Greg Watson, The Nature Conservancy, Boston, MA Tuesday, May 24, 1994 Auditorium, Bldg 003, USDA/ARS, Beltsville, Maryland 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Session I Soil Remineralization - An Overview Moderator - Dr. Ron Korcak 8:00 Welcome 8:10 - 8:20 Goals of the Workshop Dr. Ron Korcak Fruit Lab., USDA/ARS, Beltsville, MD 8:20 - 8:50 Soil Remineralization Around the World Ms. Joanna Campe Editor, Remineralize the Earth, Northampton, MA 8:50 - 9:05 The Aggregates Industry Mr. Rick Meininger Vice Pres. of Research, National Aggregates Asso., Silver Spring, MD 9:05 - 9:20 Industry/Association Interactions Mr. Robert Able Chair, Remineralization Task Force, NAA, Collins, NY 10:00 - 10:30 Break 10:30 - Noon Session II Remineralization in Agriculture & Forestry Moderator: Mr. Rick Meininger 10:30 - 10:45 Soil/Plant Interactions Dr. Ron Korcak USDA/ARS Fruit Lab, Beltsville, MD 10:45 - 11:10 Use of Mega Industrial Byproducts in Remineralization Dr. William Fyfe Dept. of Geology, Univ. Western Ontario, London, Ontario 11:10 - 11:35 Soil Remineralization and Forestry Dr. Robert Bruck Office of Outreach & Extension, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 11:35 - Noon Sustainability: A Geologists Perspective Dr. Ward Chesworth Land Resource Sci. Dept., Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario Noon Lunch 1:15 - 3:00 p.m. Session III Diversity and Remineralization Moderator: Mr. Larry Quinlivan 1:15 - 1:40 Effects of Rock Dust on Soil Microbiology & Plant Nutrition Dr. David Miller Biology Department, Oberlin College, Ohio 1:40 - 2:05 Microbial Realm in Relation to Rock Powder Blends Mr. Bruce Tainio Tainio Techniques & Technologies, Cheney, Washington 2:05 - 2:30 Potential Benefit of Soil Remineralization: Selenium in Human Nutrition as a Model Dr. Orville Levander Vitamin & Mineral Nutrition Lab, Beltsville, MD 2:30 - 2:55 Geophagy and Human Nutrition Dr. Bernadette Marriott National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Break & Posters Session IV Posters - Case Histories 4:00 - 5:00 Session V Conference Synopsis Moderator: Dr. Aldo Barsotti 4:00 - 4:20 Synopsis & Needs - An Industry Perspective Mr.Jim Schmitt Granite Rock Co., Watsonville, CA 4:20 - 4:40 Research Needs Dr. W. D. Kemper National Program Staff, USDA/ARS, Beltsville, MD 4:40 - 5:00 General Questions and Answers 5:15 - 6:15 Planning Task Group and Speakers + - - - - - - - - C O M M E N T A R Y- - - - - - - - - - - + The impetus which gave rise to this Forum was a 30-page proposal I prepared in June 1992 for Mr. Robert Able of Gernatt Gravel Co., largest gravel producer in NYS. Mr. Able presented the proposal to the National Aggregates Assoc., which enthusiastically adopted it. Then the USDA, Bureau of Mines, National Stone Assoc. got excited and signed on to the concept. So, two years later will see the first national level conference on the use of finely ground rock powders as an amendment to regenerate worn out farm and forest soils. For the first time a gathering of PhD's, bureaucrats, industry reps, and eco-activists will review the existing information on this essential bioremediation process and consider the next steps for its broad scale application to the environment. Unfortunately I won't be there. In August 1992 I was electrocuted by 6000 volts and fell 15 feet to break my back. Totally broke, confined to bed and wheelchair, consigned to a medical trash can, and in daily pain, I can't attend to see what will bec ome of my initiative. + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + -- for a green and peaceful planet, David Yarrow, turtle from Salt Lake 1227 Dorset St., So. Burlington, VT 05403; 802-865-1218 "be earthwise, not clockwise" From schwalbe@hoh.mbl.edu Fri Feb 24 22:19:34 EST 1995 Article: 5406 of bionet.plants Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!rutgers!uwm.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!uunet!noc.near.net!netnews.whoi.edu!evolmac7.mbl.edu!user From: schwalbe@hoh.mbl.edu (Karen Schwalbe) Newsgroups: bionet.plants Subject: Re: Solar Aquatics/Living Machines Followup-To: bionet.plants Date: 23 Feb 1995 16:20:57 GMT Organization: The Woods Hole Research Lines: 33 Message-ID: References: <3hc5t6$1bfs@usenetp1.news.prodigy.com> <1995Feb13.202959.10410@es.dupont.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: evolmac7.mbl.edu In article <1995Feb13.202959.10410@es.dupont.com>, heldreth@esvx12.es.dupont.com (Kathleen M. Heldreth) wrote: > In article <3hc5t6$1bfs@usenetp1.news.prodigy.com>, XXSR22A@prodigy.com (James Gravely) writes: > >HELP!!! > >I SAW A SHORT SEGMENT ON THE DISNEY CHANEL ABOUT A MAN WHO COULD REMOVE > >CONTAMINATES FROM WATER BY USING A SERIES OF DIFFERENT PLANTS TO CLEAN > >THE WATER. > > > >WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS? > >- > > JAMES GRAVELY XXSR22A@prodigy.com > > (some material snipped) The organization doing this work is called: Ocean Arks International 1 Locust Street Falmouth, MA 0254 (508)-540-6801 or e-mail Beth Josephson @ bjosephs@hoh.mbl.edu There is plenty of information available in the press, too. Try a search at the library on "Solar Aquatics" or "Living Machines". There are several facilities doing this type of remediation around the United States. They are great places to visit ;-). -- -Karen Woods Hole, MA schwalbe@hoh.mbl.edu From jim.mcnelly@granite.mn.org Tue Jan 10 22:54:10 EST 1995 Article: 50545 of rec.gardens Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!umn.edu!mr.net!bardeen.physics.csbsju.edu!gcbbgw!gcbb!jim.mcnelly Distribution: world Newsgroups: rec.gardens X-Apparently-to: DAN HUISJEN Subject: Organic material names - From: jim.mcnelly@granite.mn.org (Jim Mcnelly) Message-ID: <36.6586.2599@granite.mn.org> Date: Fri, 06 Jan 1995 00:37:00 +0600 Organization: Granite City Connection St. Cloud MN 612-654-8372 Lines: 64 DAN HUISJEN TO ALL Discussing: Organic material names - ON 01/04/95 Replied To: Friday, January 6, 1995 00:00 H> I always liked the term "biomass" myself. H> Vague as it is, it seems to describe quite a variety of materials H> according to H> their potential use, rather than their source. Hi Dan, Biomass has been one of my favorite words to describe organic matter too. However, our department of energy and the Great Lakes Council of Governors have published so much material on "biomass utilization" which is strictly related to combustion, that the term is now thought of as an energy source, to the exclusion of other values. I noticed once that organic matter sources and forms can be lumped generally into four "F" categories, fuel, feed, fiber, and fertilizer. It is hard, aside from Biomass before it was associated with just fuel, to find a word that describes all four uses and categories. H> When viewing an ecosystem, one can also use the term to encompas H> all of the material before specifying smaller parts, as in: 52 - H> 55% of the biomass in an H> old growth forest is composed of fungi, while only a third of the H> total biomass is visable above the level of the forest floor. A good friend of mine, a composting and permaculture expert from Sprout Acres in Laguna Beach, CA, Dr. Bill Roley, coined the term "humusphere" to describe the soil ecosystem. I like the sound of the phrase, as it connotes a respiration cycle or a systems approach to the soul, rather than any one humus aspect. Reminds me of the refrain from Joni Mitchell's song "Woodstock" We are stardust We are golden Billion year old carbon Locked in the Devil's bargain And we've got to find a way Back to the garden To me, that just about sums it all up. Mr Compost~~~ Jim~ McNelly jim.mcnelly@granite.mn.org * RM 1.3 02460 * A belief in anything is better than a doubt of everything ------------------============<>=============----------------- Granite City Connection (612) 654-8372 28.8K 3 Lines Email: jim.mcnelly@granite.mn.org (Jim Mcnelly) ------------------============<>=============----------------- AquaNIC:6:Subject: Aquaculture Austrees:5:Subject: Austrees Bear.Tribe:5:Subject: Re: Permaculture and Natural Farming Bill-Mollisons-farm:6:Subject: Re: PERMACULTURE???? Boulder-Hemp-Initiative-Project:6:Subject: Report: Industrial Hemp as a Cash Fiber Crop CFS.tree-info-project:6:Subject: Tree slides needed CGER.Living-Machines:8:Subject: Living Machines Conference EZ-home-aquaculture:7:Subject: RE: E-Z HOME AQUACULTURE Ecosystem.Management:14:Subject: Ecosystem Management Emelia.Hazelip.permaculture-consultant-lecturer:6:Subject: Synergistic Agriculture workshop in Arkansas Hydroponic.Hothouse-JB.DeKorne:6:Subject: Re: Info on the New Alchemist Institute IBS.1995:5:Subject: IBS 95 (fwd) IBS.1995:11:Subject: IBS 95 Institute-for-Bioregional-Studies.1995-catalog:6:Subject: Permies and Bioregionalists John.Todd-Ocean.Arks.International.address:6:Subject: Re: Info on the New Alchemist Institute John.Todd-Ocean.Arks.International.address:46:Subject: Re: Info on the New Alchemist Institute John.Todd-Ocean.Arks.International.address:89:Subject: Re: Info on the New Alchemist Institute N-fixation:6:Subject: N fixation, soil acidity & vegetation type NADF.Conservation-Trees.info-packet:6:Subject: Re: urban agriculture New-Alchemy-Institute.address:6:Subject: Re: Info on the New Alchemist Institute Nitrogen-Fixing-Tree-Association:6:Subject: Re: Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association OZ-native-plants.KIMSEED:6:Subject: Re: Acacia seeds Plants-for-a-Future.database:5:Subject: Plants for a Future database Re: information request: lambsquarters Soil.Remineralization.Forum.5-23-94:3:Subject: Soil Remineralization Forum Sprout.Acres-Bill.Roley:7:Subject: Organic material names - USDA-UF.Working-Trees-for-Communities.program:6:Subject: Re: urban agriculture WANTFA:5:Subject: Re: double sowing barley & winter wheat! add alfalfa? (fwd) read about the following kind of method: apple-snails:6:Subject: Re: (POND) Apple snails? azolla.request4info:11:Subject: Azolla spp. biocoppicing:6:Subject: biocoppicing information biological-laws-and-rules:6:Subject: Re: biological laws and rules biological-laws-and-rules:52:Subject: Re: biological laws and rules (long) bioregionalism:6:Subject: Re: Permaculture Workshop with author Bill Mollison bioregionalism-permaculture:6:Subject: Bioregionalism/Permaculture book-on-building-bat-houses:5:Subject: Re: bat houses butterfly-hybernation-boxes:6:Subject: Re: Do butterfly houses work? cattails:6:Subject: Re: Growing Cattails from Seed cattails:51:Subject: Re: Growing Cattails from Seed chickens-and-greenhouses:6:Subject: Re: Chickens & greenhouse csa.software:5:Subject: Community Supported Agriculture / Permaculture Software damping-off.fusarium.compost:3:Subject: [ DAMPING OFF aka DAMP OF design-course:6:Subject: Permaculture Design Course - CA (fwd) design-course:19:Subject: Permaculture Design Course - CA earth.ponds.info:5:Subject: Re: water reservoir liner, cheapest earth.ponds.info:41:Subject: Re: water reservoir liner, cheapest earth.ponds.info:83:Subject: Re: water reservoir liner, cheapest earth.ponds.info:125:Subject: Re: water reservoir liner, cheapest earthponds.info.01:5:Subject: Re: water reservoir liner, cheapest earthponds.info.01:41:Subject: Re: water reservoir liner, cheapest earthponds.info.01:83:Subject: Re: water reservoir liner, cheapest earthponds.info.01:125:Subject: Re: water reservoir liner, cheapest earthponds.info.01:161:Subject: Re: water reservoir liner, cheapest earthponds.info.01:203:Subject: Re: water reservoir liner, cheapest earthponds.info.01:245:Subject: Re: water reservoir liner, cheapest edible.flowers:6:Subject: edible flowers & nutrition (fwd) edible.flowers:12:Subject: edible flowers & nutrition farming-with-hedgerows:6:Subject: Farming with Hedgerows farms:5:Subject: Mushrooms / Fungi forage-from-trees:5:Subject: Forage from trees? forage-from-trees:39:Subject: Re: Forage from Trees? hardiness.zones.maps:5:Subject: Re: USDA Hardiness Zones Digitized? hedgerows:6:Subject: hedgerows herb.farming.guide:5:Subject: herb texts hog-composting:6:Subject: info request hogs-in-composting:6:Subject: Re: hogs in composting hogs-in-composting:51:Subject: (none) hogs-in-composting:77:Subject: Re: your mail home-aquaculture:6:Subject: Re: E-Z Home Aquaculture (fwd) home-aquaculture:93:Subject: Re: E-Z Home Aquaculture home-aquaculture:136:Subject: Aquaponics revisited home-aquaculture:175:Subject: Re: E-Z Home Aquaculture lambsquarters:5:Subject: information request: lambsquarters lambsquarters:40:Subject: Re: information request: lambsquarters (fwd) landscaping4wildlife.s-v:5:Subject: Landscaping for Wildlife (Shrubs & Vines) local-produce.1-95:5:Subject: Local produce mycology-resource-list:6:Subject: Here is An Update neem:5:Subject: Re: Info needed on Nim (Neem?) tree neem:67:Subject: Info needed on Nim (Neem?) tree neem:75:Subject: Info needed on Nim (Neem?) tree neem:86:Subject: Information on the Nim (Neem?) tree neem:92:Subject: Information on the Nim (Neem?) tree neem:124:Subject: Re: Info needed on Nim (Neem?) tree neem:132:Subject: Re: Info needed on Nim (Neem?) tree neem:153:Subject: Re: Info needed on Nim (Neem?) tree neem:161:Subject: Re: Info needed on Nim (Neem?) tree neem:208:Subject: Neem Tree neem:229:Subject: Info needed on Nim (Neem?) tree neem:240:Subject: BOOK ON NEEM neem:260:Subject: MORE INFO ON NEEM neem:299:Subject: Info needed on Nim (Neem?) tree neem:337:Subject: Neem seeds neem:356:Subject: Neem & Beneficial Insects neem:431:Subject: neem neem:460:Subject: Re: Neem Trees - Publicity not always hype neem:510:Subject: Re: Neem Trees permaculture-definition:6:Subject: Re: PERMACULTURE???? permaculture-mailing-list:7:Subject: Re: Getting started... permaculture-mailing-list:71:Subject: Re: Getting started... permaculture.background:3:Subject: Re: Small scale permaculture sources (fwd) permaculture.design.course:5:Subject: ANNOUNCEMENT: Permaculture Design Course permaculture.design.course:40:Subjects include fundamentals of ecology, site development, plants, permaculture.discussion-group:3:Subject: Straw Poll: sci.permaculture permaculture.discussion-group:25:Subject: Permaculture Conf. On-Line permaculture.forage-crops:3:Subject: Re: fodder for ducks & geese permaculture.forage-crops:27:Subject: Re: Growing fodder.. permaculture.resources:3:Subject: Re: Small scale permaculture sources planting.by.moon:6:Subject: Re: Planting onions by the phases of the moon. planting.by.moon:56:Subject: Re: Setting-out onions by the moon planting.by.moon:95:Subject: Re: Setting-out onions by the moon planting.by.moon:132:Subject: Re: Setting-out onions by the moon planting.by.moon:149:Subject: Setting-out onions by the moon plantings.to.attract.wildlife:5:Subject: Native plants that attract wildlife pond-building.1-95:5:Subject: Re: Pond Building pond-construction-info.1-95:5:Subject: Re: Pond Building pond-construction-info.1-95:115:Subject: Re: Pond Building pond-liners:6:Subject: Pond liners pond-liners:34:Subject: Re: Pond liners pond-liners:56:Subject: Re: New Garden Pond Suggestions Needed pond-liners:111:Subject: Re: Pond liners pond-liners.uv:5:Subject: Pond Liners and UV light pond-liners.uv:33:Subject: Pond Liners and UV light (long) prescription-agriculture.1-95:1:Subject: GPS and Prescription Agriculture recommended-reading:3:Subject: Bug book - got it! recommended-reading:37:Subject: GREEN MANURE INFORMATION recommended-reading:78:Subject: good references on crop diversification recommended-reading:95:Subject: New Biodiversity Book rock.dust.fertilizer.1-95:5:Subject: Rock Dust Fertilizer rock.dust.fertilizer.1-95:25:Subject: Re: Rock Dust Fertilizer sesbania:5:Subject: Identity of Dhaincha solved (it's a _Sesbania_) sesbania:56:Subject: Re: Identity of Dhaincha solved (it's a _Sesbania_) shittake-info:34:Subject: Shiitake cultivation - journal and grant pointers needed shittake-info:73:Subject: Re: Shiitake cultivation - journal and grant pointers needed shittake-info:114:Subject: Re: Shiitake cultivation - journal and grant pointers needed shittake-info:155:Subject: Shiitake cultivation - journal and grant pointers needed shittake-info:192:Subject: Re: Source for shitake mushroom spores? shittake-info:222:Subject: Re: Shitake Mushroom Cultivation shittake-info:582:Subject: MycoInfo (Jan, 12, 1994) soil-microbes.multicrop:5:Subject: mulches and the impending societal collapse sustag-principles.mailing-list:5:Subject: Information on the sustag-principles mailing list. sustag-principles.mailing-list:10:Subject: revised announcement sustainable-butterfly-harvesting:6:Subject: Butterflies in Kenya GEF proj (fwd) sustainable-butterfly-harvesting:20:Subject: GEF program in Kenya sustainable-land-management:6:Subject: Sustainable Land Management Research Survey synergistic-agriculture:6:Subject: Synergistic Agriculture workshop in Arkansas urban-river-project:6:Subject: PLANTING BERRY TREES IN URBAN RIVER PROJECT water-hyacinth.heavy-metal-hyperaccumulation:15:Subject: Re: Water Hyacinth (fwd) water-hyacinth.heavy-metal-hyperaccumulation:72:Subject: Water Hyacinth (fwd) water-hyacinth.heavy-metal-hyperaccumulation:94:Subject: Water Hyacinth water-hyacinth.heavy-metal-hyperaccumulation:135:Subject: Re: Water Hyacinth (fwd) watershed.management.1:3:Subject: Watershed Management #1 watershed.management.2:3:Subject: Watershed Management #2 watershed.management.3:3:Subject: Watershed Management #3 watershed.management.4:3:Subject: Watershed Management #4 watershed.management.5:3:Subject: Watershed Management #5 watershed.management.6:3:Subject: Watershed Management #6 wildlife.plantings:1:Subject: more on hummingbird flowers wildlife.plantings:46:Subject: natives to attract wildlife wildlife.plantings:208:Subject: Guide to Wildlife Food Habits wildlife.plantings:230:Subject: More "Landscaping for Wildlife" wildlife.plantings:292:Subject: "Landscaping for Wildlife" wood-chip-digesting-with-edible-mushrooms:6:Subject: Re: wood chip-digesting using edible mushrooms wood-digesting-fungi:6:Subject: Re: wood chip-digesting fungi and ground nuts wood-digesting-fungi:37:Subject: Re: wood chip-digesting fungi and ground nuts woodland.ecology.book:5:Subject: Good books on woodlot management From benbrook@hillnet.comFri Aug 25 21:26:50 1995 Date: Tue, 22 Aug 1995 08:26:45 -0400 (EDT) From: Charles Benbrook To: sanet Subject: The Ark The Ark is a spinoff from the New Alchemcy Inst. run by John and nancy Todd, started in 1970's on Cape Cod, which does not exist anynmore. The ARk was a spinoff in Prince Edward Island, and we believe it is still functioning and among other things, has demonstrated the economic viability and ecological soundness of some new type of composting toilet. To get mopre info contact John or Nancy Todd in the Woods Hole, Mass. area. Any phone book should do, 508 area code. Good luck. From arkinstitute@usa.pipeline.com Mon Jan 29 10:54:21 EST 1996 Article: 10350 of alt.sustainable.agriculture Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-server.ncren.net!taco.cc.ncsu.edu!lll-winken.llnl.gov!uwm.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in1.uu.net!news.new-york.net!news.columbia.edu!news.cs.columbia.edu!pipeline!psinntp!psinntp!news1.h1.usa.pipeline.com!usenet From: arkinstitute@usa.pipeline.com(Geri Guidetti) Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture Subject: New Book Date: 28 Jan 1996 03:09:54 GMT Organization: Pipeline USA Lines: 31 Message-ID: <4eepe2$ioa@news1.usa.pipeline.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: pipe6.h1.usa.pipeline.com X-PipeUser: arkinstitute X-PipeHub: usa.pipeline.com X-PipeGCOS: (Geri Guidetti) X-Newsreader: Pipeline USA v3.4.0 For those of you interested in self-sustaining gardens and self-reliance, thought you'd like to know that The Ark Institute has just published a book on precisely these topics. The book....Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self-Reliance in Uncertain Times...Book I: Food Self-Sufficiency... includes in-depth info. on growing self-sustaining vegetable, grain and fruit gardens, what/how much to plant, harvest, store for your family size. Insects, diseases, illustrations. Natural pest management. Extensive nutritional information for self-directed health maintenance. Every seed co. offering open-pollinated seeds in US and Canada. Seed storage info., natural, home grown fertilizers, soil building, etc. etc. all in one place. Email for more info. Had several emails this week asking for info. on The Ark Institute and its postings on Echinacea purpurea for home grown antibiotic therapy....Burpee Seed co. offers this specific species as Echinacea,The Purple Coneflower... in its seed racks in good nurseries, Home Depot and in its catalog. Other seed co.s do offer but be certain it is E. purpurea, as others haven't undergone controlled testing to quite the extent this one has. If you have trouble finding, send an SASE to The Ark Institute, PO Box 364, Monkton, MD 21111 and we will send some free for as long as our stocks last. Answer to questions on The Ark Institute -- We are a hands-on research and teaching institute. We work to discover and create the knowledge, skills and technologies essential for self-reliance. Our work is backed by over 25 years of experience in this area. We are disseminating this information through our publications, posts to appropriate newsgroups,to our email list, in seminars and, as time permits, to individual email requests for specific information. Hope this helps.... Geri Guidetti, The Ark Institute -- Dedicated to the Research, Study and >Teaching of Self-Reliance Skills >and Technologies From arkinstitute@usa.pipeline.comTue Feb 13 10:39:06 1996 Date: Mon, 12 Feb 1996 16:28:15 -0500 From: The Ark Institute To: london@calypso-2.oit.unc.edu Subject: The Ark Institute The Ark Institute is a hands-on research and teaching Institute. We work to discover and create the knowledge, skills and technologies essential for self-reliance. One of our current projects focuses on the creation of self-sustaining gardens and food self-sufficiency technologies -- independent of seed companies, commercial fertilizers and pesticides. We are very concerned about the growing deterioration of the global environment and its effects on food crops around the world. We expect to hear many reports of famine, expanding deserts, food shortages, irrigation water shortages and other threats to survival in the near future. It is our hope that a grass roots education and implementation effort toward food self-reliance will provide a widespread group of people with the skills and resources to help themselves and to teach and help others as these future dislocations materialize. We are also very concerned about the planned disappearance of open-pollinated seeds, depriving individuals and farmers from growing food crops whose seed can be saved for future plantings. Hybrids cannot be saved for future crops. We encourage others to grow and save open-pollinated food seeds, and to pass them on to others. We test and provide information on these varieties. The ongoing economic and employment dislocations caused by the reorganization of global industries, technology, etc. represents a very large black cloud hovering over people in all countries, in all occupations. There is growing recognition by world leaders that there will not be jobs and a means to make a living for ever-larger proportions of populations in all countries. How will they eat? How will people from technologically advanced countries survive when their work skills are no longer needed...when they don't know how to feed themselves? We believe it is time to rethink human survival. Our research is backed by over 25 years of experience in sustainable, organic agriculture and self-reliance technologies. We are disseminating information through our publications, posts to appropriate newsgroups, to a growing Email list, in group meetings and seminars and, as time permits, to individual email requests for specific information. Our first, full-length publication is Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self-Reliance in Uncertain Times...Book I: Food Self-Sufficiency. It contains in-depth information on growing self-sustaining vegetable, grain and fruit gardens, what/how much to plant, harvest and store for your family size. Extensive nutritional information for self-reliant health maintenance is provided as well. Every seed co. offering open-pollinated seeds in the U.S. and Canada, natural, home-grown fertilizers and pesticides and more are here. Insects, diseases, illustrations, natural pest management are covered. If you are interested in a copy, you can order it directly for $21.95 which includes shipping costs: Send cash,check or M.O. made out to The Ark Institute, PO Box 364, Monkton, MD 21111. Include your name and mailing address. All purchases are fully guaranteed. If you are not satisfied, return the book in resalable condition and your money will be cheerfully refunded. *** We are currently sharing a sample of our collection of up to 100 varieties of lettuces from around the world. We have enough seed to share with our first 100 orders. Thanks for your interest in our work! Geri Guidetti, The Ark Institute From agaccess@pa.mother.comFri Sep 15 22:26:22 1995 Date: Fri, 15 Sep 1995 10:58:44 -0700 From: David Katz To: ecol-agric@mailbase.ac.uk Subject: New book - "The Soul of Soil" ****************************************************** NEW BOOK EXPLAINS ECOLOGICAL SOIL MANAGEMENT ****************************************************** "The Soul of Soil: A Guide to Ecological Soil Management," by Grace Gershuny and Joe Smillie, is now available in a new, extensively revised third edition. A practical introduction to managing soil for long-term productivity, this reference provides useful guidelines for making management decisions based on ecological principles, with minimal reliance on "off-farm" fertilizers. Sustainable agriculture aims to protect the soil's ability to regenerate nutrients lost when crops are harvested. This regenerative capacity depends on the diversity, health and vitality of the organisms that live, grow, reproduce, and die in the soil. The goal of ecological soil management is to enhance conditions for the billions of microbes found in every gram of healthy soil. These microscopic organisms supply plants with the necessary nutrients at the right time, and in the right form and amount. The authors describe good management of soil organic matter and humus to achieve long-lasting soil fertility. These methods include the use of green manures, crop rotations, on-farm composting, and mineral fertilizers. Detailed information is given to help the farmer with everything from collecting soil samples to using practical, on-farm tests that measure soil structure, water-holding capacity, and fertility. This guide also tells farmers how to improve their skills of observation, evaluation and management, as they must when reliance on purchased inputs is reduced. Specific "how-to" information is given for monitoring and analysis of many practices, such as application of composts and manures, interpreting soil test results, and crop responses to different fertility programs. In addition to soilbuilding techniques, "The Soul of Soil" discusses recordkeeping, cultivation, weed control, maintaining nutrient balances, and soil testing. For those who are considering or have already implemented organic certification, this book will aid in planning farm operations. The authors are experienced farmers, farm advisors and writers. Joe Smillie has worked worldwide as a consultant in ecological agriculture since 1976. He is co-author of "The Orchard Almanac." Grace Gershuny edited "Organic Farmer: The Digest of Sustainable Agriculture" from 1990 to 1994, and recently joined the staff of the USDA's National Organic Program to implement its accreditation program for organic certification. "The Soul of Soil" includes many tables, a glossary, lists of resources, and a bibliography. Published by agAccess, the 158 page book sells for $16.95, softcover. To order, send a check for the cover price plus $4.00 shipping & handling (Californians please add 7.25% sales tax) to: agAccess P.O. Box 2008 Davis, CA 95616. MasterCard, Visa and purchase orders are accepted. Telephone Monday through Friday 9am to 5:30pm PST and Saturdays 10am to 4pm PST (916) 756-7177. Email to agaccess@davis.com or fax to (916) 756-7188. Free review copies are available to editors or journalists wishing to review the book for publication. Please send mail (snail or E) to agAccess for review information and a copy of the book if you are interested. ****************************************************** PLEASE DISTRIBUTE ****************************************************** From ex125@mail.vt.eduMon Feb 12 11:45:58 1996 Date: Mon, 12 Feb 1996 09:01:24 -0500 From: Nelson County Office To: Lawrence.F.London@sable.cc.vt.edu, "Jr." Subject: Tomorrow's Farms Conference Could you please post the following confernce announcement to groups who promote sustainable agriculture and permaculture. Thank you. Michael Lachance Extension Agent, Nelson County, VA UPCOMING CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT Tomorrow's Farms Conference: Connecting our farms with and gardens with urban growth. Natural Bridge Hotel and Conference Center Natural Bridge, Virginia March 18-20, 1996 A conference for people working to develop a sustainable future for the Mid Atlantic Region sponsored by the Virginia Association for Biological Farming, Virginia Cooperative Extension,the Sedalia Center, and Voyager Foundation. About the Conference location. Participants will be able to visit two farms in Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley plus enjoy the excellent commodations at the Natural Bridge Hotel and Conference Center, adjacent to Virginia's Natural Bridge, described as one of nature's seven wonders and once owned by Thomas Jefferson. Participants will be able to visit this geologic marvel, plus a wax museum and the Natural Bridge Caverns at reduced cost. The Conference Center's indoor swimming facilities are available with your lodging . > >A limited number of rooms have been set aside so reserve your room early! Call the Natural Bridge Hotel at 1-800 533-1410 and mention you are attending this conference. We have obtained special conference rates, as low as $29 per night. Children under 15 years sleep free. A Children's Activity Room has been set aside close to the conference area for games and age appropriate videos. People with children are encouraged to come. There is no additional cost to using this room but we ask that parents and volunteers share child care responsibilities. CONFERENCE PROGRAM Monday, March 18, 1996 Noon - 6:00 p.m. Registration at the Natural Bridge Hotel and Conference enter. 1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m. Cascade Farm Demonstartions. The afternoon highlights farm scale composting techniques with George Leidig, low energy watering systems with Richard Fleming , and low input orchard design with Michael Lachance. Cascade Farm is a 640 acre working farm located ten minutes from the Conference Center. It's mission is to be on the vanguard of sustainable farm management and to foster the work of the Voyager Foundation, a non-profit organization working in the areas of health, education,and spiritual growth. 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Dinner Cost of meals are included in the registration and will be served in the main dining room of the Natural Bridge Hotel. Each evening at dusk there is an enjoyable half hour program using light and music at the Natural Bridge. 8:30 p.m. Theater Preformance by Lexington's Lime Kiln Players . Conference participants will be treated to a special musical preformance of a classic Appalachian folktale. The conference rooms and the hotel's tavern will be open for visiting. Tuesday, March 19, 1996 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast in the main dining room. 9:15 a.m. Conference Overview ond introductions. 9:20 a.m. Ten Steps Towards the Farms of Tomorrow. Trauger Groh. 10:00 a.m. Break. Refreshments provided. 10:20 a.m. Haymount Farm: a New Town for Virginia that Embraces Agriculture. John Clark. 11:35 a.m. Linking Profitability with Agriculture. Joel Salatin. 12:30 a.m. Lunch served in the hotel's dining room. 2:00 p.m. Basic Formula for Community Supported Agriculture. Trauger Groh. 3:00 p.m. Return to Cascade Farm for outdoor presentations and discussions. 6:00 p.m. Dinner served in the hotel's dining room. Option to enjoy dusk at the Natural Bridge. > 7:00-9:30 p.m. Biological Production Short Course. Larry Helmuth, Virginia Association for Biological Farming. This evening program is an opportunity for commercial growers and market gardeners to learn about and discuss the production of heatlthful foods plus receive an update on marketing organic produce. The Biological Production Pledge initiative of VABF will be discussed and further developed by the participants. Note: people planning to attend this workshop are asked to pay $10 for an instructional packet. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Small Group Discussions with Presenters. People are encouraged to bring farm maps and plans for impromptu consultation on market gardening, farm scale composting, community supported agriculture, orchard management and other topics. Wednesday, March 20, 1996 7:00-9:00 a.m. Breakfast in the hotel dining room. Hotel check out. 9:00 a.m. Travel to Polyface Farm in Augusta County. 10:00 a.m. Tour and workshop at Polyface Farm until early afternoon. People signed up for this program can eat a $5 boxed lunch, payable at the Conference registration desk. > About the Presenters: Trauger Groh has been involved with farming for local communities for 33 years and is an internationally recognized advocate for community supported farming and Bio Dynamic Agriculture. He is co-author of Farms of Tomorrow which emphasizes our need to maintain linkage to farming traditions for both personal and societal health. John Clark has for the last 18 years been involved with building new communities to meet our area's population growth. He will discuss New Urbanism and Neotraditional Town Planning by drawing on his efforts to transform Haymount Farm in Caroline County into a new, walkable community with local food production and farmer's markets. Joel Salatin is a much sought after speaker, author and columnist. He is one of America's most innovative farmers. He operates Polyface Farm with his family near Swoope, Virginia. He was recently featured in the December 1995 issue of National Geographic magazine for his efforts to develop sustainable agriculture in the United States. He is author of Pastured Poultry Profits and more recently,Salad Bar Beef. Conference attenders will have the opportunity to both listen to Joel Salatin's conference presentation and also attend a Wednesday workshop at Polyface Farm. TOMORROW'S FARMS REGISTRATION FORM Name....................................................................Addr ess................................................................. City, State,Zip......................................................... Daytime Telephone No.............................. Signature............................................................. I will be bringing children Yes No Ages .............................. Registration Fee: $79, iIncludes theatre, meals, and breaks! "I will be visiting Polyface Farm on Wednesday and want ___ box lunch(s) at $5 each." Make Checks Payable to: "Tomorrow's Farms Conference" Mail to: Tomorrow's Farms Conference Sedalia Center Route 1, Box 687 Big Island, VA 25626-9735 Questions? Call (804) 299 5080 If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations for this conference, please discuss your accommodation needs with Bert Wade at (804) 299-5080 by March 1, 1996. Virginia Cooperative Extension Nelson County Office PO Box 298 Lovingston, VA 22949 (804) 263-4035 fax: (804) 263-4367 From steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu Wed Jan 18 23:50:49 EST 1995 Article: 5109 of alt.sustainable.agriculture Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!oit-mail2news-gateway From: steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu (Steve Diver) Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture Subject: Re: urban agriculture Date: 18 Jan 1995 17:08:12 -0000 Organization: sustag-public mailing list Lines: 84 Sender: daemon@bigblue.oit.unc.edu Distribution: world Message-ID: References: NNTP-Posting-Host: bigblue.oit.unc.edu Content-Type: text Emily, Here's something of interest to you and others on sanet-mg related to urban forestry/agroforestry et al. At the Agroforestry and Sustainable Systems Symposium in Ft. Collins, CO, last August, there were two presentations of special note. 1. The National Arbor Day Foundation has put together--in cooperation with USDA Agencies like SCS & Extension Service-- an excellent illustrated brochure and accompanying 80-slide set on "Conservation Trees-For Your Farm, Family & Future." The slide set is only $25 and a case of 600 brochures is $60. I highly recommend these. Topics covered include: Riparian Filter Strips Wildlife Habitat Field Windbreaks Farmstead Windbreaks Living Snow Fences Trees for Livestock Tree Plantations Alley Cropping Specialty Crops Trees for Recreations Areas Woodlot Management Multi-Purpose Plantings Contact: National Arbor Day Foundation 211 North 12th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 2. An urban forestry program known as "Working Trees for Communities" was developed by the USDA Urban Forestry program. Jerry Bratton was the chief person sponsoring it. One of their slogos was "Trees willing to work for room and board." Like the Arbor Day stuff, USDA has a set of excellent slides and materials to support this educational program. They are promoting it to youth groups within municipalities to pick it up and make it happen. This program is known as PAT/HAK, or "Plant a Tree, Help a Kid." It is being done in cooperation with local SCS and Extension workers, who provide on-site advice. I don't have a contact. Topics include: Working Trees (WT) WT for Sewage Treatment WT for Community Windbreaks WT for Shopping & Business Centers WT for Industrial Sites WT for Protecting Schools & Churches WT for Community Living Snow Fences WT for Recreation Protection WT for Erosion Control WT for Protecting Emergency Routes WT for Energy Conservation WT for Screening & Noise Control WT for Wildlife & Habitat Protection BTW, the proceedings of the Symposium will be published by the Rocky Mtn. Forestry and Range Experiment Station in 1995. There is plenty of vital stuff going on in agroforestry, an important component of sustainable agriculture. Also, the permaculture literature has some of the most cutting edge stuff in relation to integrating multi-purpose annual and perennial plants into built environments. Steve Diver steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu > To whom it may concern: > I am seeking information on projects involving agricutural food > production and forestry in urban environments. I am interested in past > and current projects going on in this country and abroad. I am also > interested in any discussions of the social and environmental > ramifications of urban agriculture. > Thanks, Emily Kellert > egkF94@hamp.hampshire.edu From vic@daena.eepo.dialix.oz.au Date: Sat, 22 Oct 1994 12:33:44 WST From: Victor Guest To: london@sunsite.unc.edu Subject: Re: double sowing barley & winter wheat! add alfalfa? (fwd) read about the following kind of method: >> >>comments: savings in tillage, savings (earnings?!) in humus, savings in >> nutrients, environment less polluted by nutrients, better >> overwintering conditions for winter crop. tests indicate crops >> harvested are about the same size as those gotten using the >> "conventional" method in finland. >> >People who use one pass broad acre techniques, supply nitrogen to the crop >to compensate for the nitrogen lost to the growing plant by the straw. >breaking down. Leached nitrogen from this practice gets to our Waterways. Hi. I would like to follow up the discussion with a report of WANTFA. West Australian No Tillage Farmers Association, given at the AGM of the Land Management Society of W.A. yesterday. Membership has grown to 300 in just 2years. The members of this Assoc. establish crops with only one sowing pass of the machinery . Mostly based at Esperance in the South East of W.A. these farmers are tackling the problems of wind erosion etc. and coming up with exciting results. Rotations of wheat, lupins, wheat are producing crops equivalent to the best results by normal cultivation. Canola results have also been excellent. The trials on wheat after Pasture were significant in that yields were increased by the addition of 40 kg of n/ha. The top yield in this trial was 3.5 tonne per ha. NOTE: In Wheat after lupins trials the REDUCTION of yield was 390 kg/ha BY THE ADDITION OF 40 kg of n/ha. The top yield in this trial was 4.32 tonne/ha. The increase in earth worms in the cropped areas is also reported as significant. The only factor to cause concern, is that the control of weeds in this technique is the use of and cost of sprays. The Newsletter I have, indicates that members may be touring North America at the moment. Copy's of the newsletter may be received by sending $A20 and writing to. WANTFA. c/-Kondinin Group 177 Great Eastern Highway Belmont Western Australia 6104 Regards, Vic -- Victor Guest V.G.Guest Perth, Western Australia vic.guest@eepo.com.au 3 McKee Plce Kingsley. 6026 ----: Sustainable Agriculture :---- Tel. (09) 3092108 --: The Land Management Society & The Permaculture Association:---- From larson@twain.oit.umass.edu Mon Feb 20 22:35:44 EST 1995 Article: 14 of sci.bio.conservation Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!atglab.bls.com!emory!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!uunet!nntp.cac.washington.edu!conssub From: larson@twain.oit.umass.edu (Joseph S Larson) Newsgroups: sci.bio.conservation Subject: Wetland Habitat Software Date: 19 Feb 1995 05:54:01 GMT Organization: University of Massachusetts, Amherst Lines: 49 Approved: pdh@u.washington.edu Message-ID: <3i6b40$s16@nic.umass.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: stein3.u.washington.edu Originator: conssub@stein3.u.washington.edu NEW PUBLICATION AND SOFTWARE AVAILABLE WEThings: Wetland Habitat Indicators for Non-Game Species (Wetland dependent amphibians, reptiles and mammals of New England) By: Alison L. Whitlock, Nancy M. Jarman, J. Antonio Medina and Joseph S. Larson Summary: Many wildlife species are undergoing serious population declines throughout their ranges due to habitat fragmentation and other anthropogenic effects. State and federal agencies are subject to increasing pressure to identify important habitat features for impact assessment, mitigation, and conservation initiatives. Until now, no methodology existed that allowed agencies to predict potential habitat for wetland-dependent amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Funded by the New England Transportation Consortium and the Federal Highway Administration, WEThings serves as a methodology to meet this need in the New England states. The WEThings method is based on an extensive literature review of measurable habitat characteristics conducted for 22 amphibian, 15 reptile, and 22 mammal species, many of which are listed as rare, threatened, or endangered in at least one of the six New England states. Detailed summaries of the literature base were compiled for each species and serve as the basis from which predictive models were produced. The models may be used individually but also have been combined into a software package that provides a composite habitat predicting model for all species. WEThings enables researchers, consultants, and state and federal regulatory agencies to better predict potential habitat for these species. Volume I: Instructions and Windows-based disk. Volume II: Literature review and individual species models Price: $75.00, prepaid, including postage. Order: Publication 94-1 From: The Environmental Institute, Blaisdell House, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003-0820 -- J.S. Larson, Environmental Institute, Box 30820, University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA 01003-0820 USA Tel: 413-545-2842 Fax: 413-545-2304 Telex: 948633 Internet: Larson@tei.umass.edu From jhaap@tilth.orgThu Feb 23 19:53:12 1995 Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 09:57:01 +0000 From: "J. J. Haapala" To: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." Subject: Re: educational visit (fwd) Hi, I am aware of a permaculture grazier that has used the Yeomans method to capture water and fertility on his hillside ranch. This fellow is Marvin Hegge in Roseburg Oregon, and his operation is quite a sight. If you have interest beep me back. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- jhaap@tilth.org J. J. Haapala * Oregon Tilth Research & Development 30848 Maple Drive * Junction City, OR 97448 * +1 (503) 998-5801 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Cyronwode@aol.comWed Mar 15 22:53:30 1995 Date: Wed, 15 Mar 1995 18:45:53 -0500 From: Cyronwode@aol.com To: KLB@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu Cc: permaculture-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Breeding food crops for environments Ken Buhr wrote: >I volunteered to make a presentation to our weekly Plant >Breeding Journal Club, to plant breeders and graduate students in >Agronomy and the Horticultural Sciences (Fruit Crops and Vegetable >Crops)...So, if you have input, I would be happy to hear >from you... [snip] Ken, for a practical book on adaptive plant breeding geared to the small grower (not to ag depts at universities) read Dr. Carol Deppe's "Breed Your own Vegetable Varietes," Little, Brown, 1993. Deppe is a serious researcher; the book is scientifically engaging yet accessible to those who wish to adapt crops to their local climtes, etc. From jg16@cornell.eduMon Apr 10 21:26:39 1995 Date: Mon, 10 Apr 1995 16:30:42 -0400 From: Judy Green To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: FOOD SHED/MARKETSCAPE? I've been following the food shed discussion with much interest. I'm part of a group working on a book tentatively entitled "Sustainaing Rural Landscapes: Applying Innovative Concepts to the Practical Work of Landscape Protection and Land Use Planning". My chapter, and those of a couple of other collaborators, will explore the relationship between food/agricultural marketing systems and the sustainability of Northeast U.S. communities and landscapes. In our discussions we have been using the term MARKETSCAPE rather than food shed,food system, food circle or whatever. Now I'm trying to figure out whether to continue using "marketscape" or buy into one of the other terms which are quickly gaining familiarity (at least with SANET users.) I'd welcome feedback. Does "marketscape" offer any improvements over the other terms in that it does not imply a particular directionality, scale or structure? Anyway, in addition to your comments on terminology, I also welcome comments on this early (READ: ROUGH-VERY ROUGH) outline of ideas for my chapter below. The "social capital and environmental capital" stuff refers to Cornelia Flora's outline of 4 types of capital - 1) physical (including money), 2) human (individuals' skills, education, labor, etc) 3) natural resource and 4) social (the way we are organized to interact, our institutions, cultural norms, level of mutual trust, etc etc...) A high degree of social capital makes more effective use of other forms of capital. My thesis is that locally/regionally integrated marketscapes (eg food sheds) foster the development of social capital and perhaps therefore, natural resource capital. Global marketscapes, on the other hand tend to degrade social capital in both importing and exporting communities. I have not yet delved into the literature which many of you have suggested so I'm sure I will find lots of good stuff in there too. In the meantime, thanks in advance for any comments you have. FIRST DRAFT -THINK PIECE - 10/7/94 J. Green "THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETSCAPE": Implications for Development of Social and Natural Resource Capital I. Definitions: Marketscape: A geographic conceptualization of agricultural marketing systems, mapping the sources and destinations of inputs and outputs to and from farms. (Should be superimposed on a mapping of natural resources and of human population) Locally integrated marketscape: A system of marketing relationships in which there is a high level of recirculation of resources - coupling of farm inputs and outputs (sources and destinations) - within a locality. Eg: generation of agricultural inputs (soil fertility, seed, breeding stock, machinery and equipment, knowledge, training, new farmers, farm labor, credit....) from local resources; and distribution of farm products (food and fiber, "waste" nutrients, recreational access...) to local recipients. "Local" and "integrated" both being relative terms - the tighter the linkages geographically, the more locally integrated; the more numerous and diverse the linkages, the more locally integrated. Locally non-integrated (or non-locally integrated?) marketscape: A system of marketing relationships in which the sources and destinations of farm inputs and outputs are geographically distant, and therefore disconnected from the people and landscape of a locality. Eg: the "global market" II. Social attributes of marketscapes Locally integrated. Marketing relationships are more likely to be personal relationships, maintained over time. High degree of control in creating and defining economic relationships remains with local people. Producers and consumers of inputs and outputs view each other in more than economic terms, have many shared interests including, importantly, an interest in the local landscape. Economic and social relations more horizontal, egalitarian, based more on reciprocity, trust. Negotiation of interdependent but distinct economic interests. Long-term view, shared commitment to locality. High degree of accountability to local community. Farm business decisions made with an eye to many goals - economic, environmental, community relations. Very strong networks involving farm and nonfarm interests .... So, many positive contributions to developing social capital. Non-locally integrated. Disconnection between economic and personal interests and relationships; economic relations primarily vertical (farmers at the bottom?); low level of local control of economic relationships, power remains outside local community and non-accountable. Farm business decisions made against primarily economic criteria. Few opportunities for trustbuilding between farmers and nonfarmers. Little understanding, connection to, "ownership" of local agriculture by non-farmers. Very weak networks - farmers alienated, isolated. Symbolic diversity - us against them. No relationship between the local food supply and the local landscape. III. Implications of marketscape for developing social capital of locality-based communities Development of more locally integrated marketscapes can be seen as a strategy for building social capital in rural communities, and for strengthening horizontal linkages between rural and urban communities......... Following would be case examples of local marketscape development, eg Ithaca, New York and Eastern Europe.... Judy Green Phone: 607-255-9832 Coordinator Fax: 255-9984 Farming Alternatives Program Email: jg16@cornell.edu Dept. of Rural Sociology Cornell University Never attribute to malice that which is Ithaca, NY 14853-7801 adequately explained by stupidity From rossk@ext.missouri.eduWed Jun 12 15:26:01 1996 Date: Tue, 11 Jun 96 15:42:46 cdt From: rossk@ext.missouri.edu To: x1dlewis@exnet.iastate.edu, a.harris@mirinz.org.nz, flowers@rt66.com, gina-fernandez@ncsu.edu, sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: alternative fumigants I have attached all the articles I received both over sanet and the small fruit mail group along with my original message so that all who are interested may learn as much about this subject as I did. My sincere thanks to everyone. Karen Ross Dallas Co., MO Extension Assistant/Water Quality rossk@ext.missouri.edu Dear Friends, I recently attended one of the research stations field days on Strawberries. There seemed to be a great dependence on chemical fumigants to control weeds, and kill every other living creature. It was mentioned that there is a variety of mustard being used as a fumigant. I am interested in finding out what variety it is. It was also suggested that there is a fairly good cropping rotation in use in the New York area to control diseases and pests. I would also be interested in this information. Thanks in advance. Karen Ross Extension Assistant/Water Quality rossk@ext.missouri.edu P.O. Box 1070 Buffalo, MO 65622 Karen, All of the brassicas and crucifers and radishes have some fumitoxic effect when used as a green manure because they contain isothiocyanates/glucosinolates which contain sulfur. However, some of the crops that are used more specifically include: rapeseed 'Humus' is the variety bred for high-glucosinolates for use as a fumitoxic green manure. Bred at Idaho State University. oilseed radish (Raphanus sp.) is big in Canada/Europe mustards used as cover crops When solarization with clear plastic is used in combination with a fumitoxic brassica, the effect is pronounced; this is limited to a high-value crop (such as strawberries) as a matter of practicality though. All of this stuff is much better in the context of a whole-farm approach that emphasizes biological processes such as crop rotation, composting, green manuring, microbial inoculants, etc. rather than a single practice (crucifer solution) within a largely chemically-dependent farming system. Take care, steve diver steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu Several researchers presented results of using cole crops, particularly broccoli, as a soil fumigant at teh 1995 Annual International REserach Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives And Emissions Reductions in San Dieo, Calif. For California strawberry production, see: F. V. Sances (Pacific Ag Research, Arroyo Grande, CA), and E.L. Ingham (Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon). For verticillium wilt control: Chang-Lin Xiao, Judith Hubbard, et al, Dept. Plant Pathology,U California- Davis. If you cannot find their addresses elsewhere, you may want to contact the conference coordinator: Margie Killacky, 3425 N. First #101; Fresno, CA 93726; tel 209-244-4710. Suzanne Cady, Extension Agent Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension Service University of Florida SWCA@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu We in New Hampshire are looking at the annual hill production system for strawberries and have relied on Chandler as our primary cultivar to date. In addition, about 100 strawberry growers in the state rely on standard short-day cultivars such as Allstar, etc. Methyl bromide use is unusual simply because there are no commercial applicators to do the job (2 growers do have their own equipment). Most growers have a 5 or 6 year rotation scheme that includes a year of Sudan grass as part of the rotation to reduce nematode pressure. For our annual hill system, we do fumigate under the plastic mulch but not in the aisles. Bill ------------------------------------------------------------------------ William Lord (wgl@christa.unh.edu) Extension Specialist, Fruits and NH State Liaison, IR-4 and NAPIAP Department of Plant Biology 137 Spaulding Hall, 38 College Road Fax: (603) 862-4757 Univ of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824 Phone: (603) 862-3203 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I believe the mustard you are talking about is a rape (canola). It is used to reduce the nematode population. Other pathogens that fumigation kills may not be affected by only using the canola. I know that Dr. John Halbrendt at Penn State University Fruit Research and Extension Center, PO Box 309, Biglerville, Pa 17307 has done a lot of work with canola as a cover crop and green manure crop. However, I'm pretty sure Dr. Halbrendt has not done any work with strawberry. Especially as to annual production. agaus@coop.ext.colostate.edu or agaus@lamar.colostate.edu Al Gaus Colorado State Univ. Rogers Mesa Research Center 3060 HWY 92 Hotchkiss, CO 81419 Phone: (970) 872-3387 fax: (970) 872-3397 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I was at the methyl bromide alternatives conference, and if my memory is correct, the problem with brassicas like mustard as a soil fumigant is that they are phytotoxic to strawberries. But for many other crops, mustards make good soil fumigants, particularly when combined with solarization. The plastic tarp used in solarization holds in the toxic gases that arise from the decomposition of the mustards [and other cole crop residues, including cabbage], providing quicker and better results than without tarping. The key with strawberries is some R&D to find out the cause of toxicity, and then find a plant variety that can be used as an alternative fumigant for the crop. But this line of research is, to the best of my knowledge, not being pursued. By the way, there is a 10-page article titled "Brassica Alternatives to Herbicides and Soil Fumigants," with a page of references on the subject, in the July 1993 IPM Practitioner [BIRC, Berkeley, CA, 510/524-2567; last I checked they were selling back issues for $5, if you're really interested in the subject]. I thought then, and still think now, that the concept of grouping fumigant green manure/cover crops is a good one. The major limitation is that when dealing with home-grown botanical products, there will be variations in levels of the toxicants in the plants and efficacy due to climate, soil, growing conditions etc. Also, these plant chemicals are not always benign -- remember the famous mustard gas of World War I was a product of these same brassicas. Joel Grossman disclaimer: I wrote the brassica article for the IPMP referred to above. 0003216125@mcimail.com Hi Karen, I recently attended the USDA_ARS weed control field tour in Prosser, Washington. The rapeseed variety Jupiter and the brown mustard variety Green Wave both appeared fairly effective in controling weeds after incorporation. Hope this helps. Joe Bennett joeb@cfarm.com This is in response to Karen's question about brassicas as a soil fumigant. Last year I set up an experiment in a commercial pea field here in SW Washington to investigate the pest control potential of several crops planted as overwintering covercrops. I will say right off that my experiment was washed down the river in 3 successive floods this spring. Oh well - the trials and tribulations of on-farm research. But what I did learn was some of the literature on the subject. Excuse the ad nausium message. Just thought others might be interested in the topic. I am always collecting information for future reference and would appreciate hearing from others who are researching or following this topic. This is an experiment which I hope to repeat in the near future. Soil fumigants are expensive and in some cases being phased out. I think we need to seriously investigate alternatives. Managment of the cover crop is critical to the success of pest control. Winter cover crops are fall planted and plowed down in the spring. Fall planting should be timed so that the cover crop puts on enough growth before winter, but not so much growth that flowering occurs before plow down. Not only is excess vegetative growth difficult to plow down, but also, the seed can become a weed. Winter hardy plants are likely to be the most effective for pest control because it is the decomposition of green plant material which gives these plants their pesticidal properties. Correct me if I am wrong, anybody, but I do not think that a dead plant when plowed down will produce the same chemicals as decaying green tissue. I have not seen any tests of this, just my opinion. Planting of the successive crop should not occur within 2 weeks of plow down - otherwise the crop will likely suffer the same fate as the pests. The mode of action of these cover crops does not appear to be very discriminatory. They likely affect beneficial organisms as well as pathological ones. I do not know if any research has measured this, but it is my understanding. To enhance the action of the pesticidal crop, tarping is suggested - this will prevent the active chemicals from being volatilized. Weed control - small seeded weeds are the most likely to be controled due to some penetration factor. I am sure this is related to seed coat and uptake, but I do not have any results to quote. Current research includes: 2 references from SARE/ACE report: 1. 1992. Rapeseed planted as a green manure in potatoes for control of root-knot nematode. Control was up to 80%, yields were boosted 10-50%, and weed biomass was reduced up to 50% - compared to standard pesticide plots, I believe (not clearly stated in abstract). Project coordinator is Jeffrey Stark, U. of Idaho, 208-397-4181. 2. 1992. European fodder radish as alternative to aldicarb (soil fumigant) in sugarbeets for cyst nematode control. Infestation reduced 57%, yields boosted by 5 tons/A (30% greater than aldicarb-treated plots). Radish acts as a trap crop. Project Coordinator is David Koch, U of Wyoming, 307-766-3242. 1994. Weed control with green manures and cover crops - white mustard, rapeseed, annual rye, and sudangrass - in green pea, potato and mint. Kassim Al-Khatib, WSU Mt Vernon Research Station, 360-424-6121. I do not know if any results have been published yet. Some papers: Suppression of root-knot nematode populations with selected rapeseed cultivars as green manure. H. Mojtahedi, et al. 1991. J of Nematology 23(2):170-174. Managing M. chitwoodi (Columbia root-know nematode) on potato with rapeseed as green manure. H. Mojtahedi, et al. 1993. The American Phytopathological Soc. 77(1):42-46. Cover crops for root lesion nematode (P. penetrans) suppression. 1994(?), Oregon Hort Society, Diane Kaufman & Russ Ingham, OSU. Carol A. Miles, Ph.D. Washington State University Extension Agricultural Systems 360 NW North Street Chehalis, WA 98532 PHONE 360-740-1295 FAX 360-740-2792 milesc@wsu.edu at Cornell regarding the crop rotation for strawaberries. He used it w/ matted row system, northern adapted varietes. If you get any useful information on alternatives to methyl bromide could you please pass this information on to me? Thanks ********************************* Gina Fernandez North Carolina State University 207 Research Station Rd. Plymouth, NC 27962 Email:Gina_Fernandez@ncsu.edu Tel: 919-793-4428 Fax: 919-793-5142 ******************************** Karen Ross while this may be true we have had some problems with mustards such as rapinni which seems to be a collector of insects of all types which is great as long as that is not your crop i would be interested in seeing other results for the mustards especially for fumigation .how wouldyou use the mustards for this ? Martin Connaughton Wilderness Flowers Flowers@rt66.com Rt 19 Box 111-D Santa Fe, NM 87505 505 988 3096 This letter was printed the other day in the Watsonville Register-Pajaronian. It was written in response to several venomous letters from the strawberry industry assailing a local teacher for teaching about pesticides (methyl bromide) and getting her kids to write letters to the paper. Feel free to use it in your endeavors. Kert *************************** June 1, 1996 Register- Pajaronian The Editor P.O. Box 50055 Watsonville, CA 95077 To the editor, I am writing to deliver some factual evidence to the debate on Watsonville school children being educated about the hazards of pesticides. Not only do the children of Watsonville have the right to learn the truth about the health impacts of pesticide use in their communities, it is only through such education that they can begin to protect themselves from harm should they take jobs in the agricultural sector or live near farmland. The truth is, the Watsonville area, according to data submitted to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation by farmers themselves, has some of the most intensive use of pesticides in the entire state and indeed the nation. A new study published jointly by the University of California and the state found that strawberries, a major Watsonville area crop, are by far the most intense users of pesticides in California at 234 pounds of pesticides per acre of berries. That equals almost 150,000 pounds per square mile, to put it in more tangible terms. While the vast majority of this total pesticide use is made up of the soil fumigants methyl bromide and chloropicrin, over thirty different synthetic pesticides were used by the strawberry farmers of Santa Cruz County last year. This same study found that the use of pesticides has increased in recent years and that state wide, pesticide use amounts to six pounds per capita. In Santa Cruz County pesticide use totaled 1.5 million pounds in 1993, the last year for which complete data are available. Pesticide use in Monterey County totaled 8.2 million pounds that same year. County records show that in 1995 growers used almost 633,000 pounds of methyl bromide on 1,865 acres of Santa Cruz county farmland. Strawberry fields accounted for at least 80 percent of this use (506,000 pounds). In 1992, the strawberry crop was the target of 61percent of all the pesticides applied county wide ( including 98 percent of the Captan used (a Prop 65 listed carcinogen) and 79 percent of the Benomyl used (a Prop 65 listed reproductive toxin). It is not an exaggeration to say that your area is one of very heavy pesticide use, even for California. However, even more important than the heavy use of pesticides is the high potential for human illness from offsite drift of these pesticides. Breathing methyl bromide for example is serious health threat. Methyl bromide is a highly toxic gas and it never stays where it is put. According to the latest studies, anywhere from 30-60 percent gets into the air depending on the application method and weather, despite the plastic tarping placed on top. Methyl bromide goes right through plastic. It doesn't take a plastic glue failure, a strong wind or kids ripping off the plastic for there to be methyl bromide in the air around strawberry fields. Applications of methyl bromide to California strawberry fields average around 200 pounds per acre. That means 60 to 120 pounds vaporizes into the surrounding breathing space from each acre of strawberries. The Department of Pesticide Regulation and the farmers know this. But instead of monitoring how much methyl bromide is in the air, they use computer models to guess where the methyl bromide will go after it leaves the field and use this information to establish a "buffer zone" around fields where methyl bromide is used. It is dangerous to enter this buffer zone after a methyl bromide application. The DPR's methods of computer modeling have been questioned by experts in the field of risk assessment. As reported last February in the Los Angeles Times, the DPR is using an old version of the computer model and using weak meteorological data averaged statewide, instead of local weather data that gives a better picture of where the methyl bromide will drift. The scientist who developed these computer models while working for the state (now a private consultant on air pollution) compared the DPR buffer zones to more realistic buffer zones using an updated computer model and local, up-to-date weather data. He found that in Salinas for example, DPR buffer zones should be 4 to 10 times larger than currently mandated for various field sizes and pesticide application rates. A DPR buffer zone of 40 feet should be 510 feet, A DPR buffer zone of 140 yards should be more than a quarter mile. This raises serious questions about the safety of people living, working and going to school close to methyl bromide treated fields. In testimony before the California Assembly in February, Dr. William Pease, a toxicologist at UC Berkeley and the Environmental Defense Fund, illuminated the health effects of methyl bromide as a nerve toxin, a reproductive and developmental toxin, and went on to show that the state has not established methyl bromide air pollution standards to protect humans from chronic exposure to methyl bromide. Nobody is monitoring how much is in the air and the methyl bromide levels that are legally allowed in the air are derived from studies on rats and rabbits, even though primates, including humans, have been shown to be more sensitive. The one study that attempted to measure the chronic effects of low level exposure ended with six dead beagles after just a few days. It was determined by the researchers that "the cumulative effect for methyl bromide induced neurotoxicity made it difficult to estimate an exposure level which the dogs could tolerate for a 28-day or 1 year exposure study." Methyl bromide is being used near people. Subdivisions and schools are increasingly close to agricultural areas in California. An Environmental Working Group (EWG) report completed in February found that Santa Cruz county had three elementary schools and day care centers within 1.5 miles of over 25,000 pounds of methyl bromide use. Neighboring Monterey County had 24 schools within the same range and 4 schools within 2 miles of more than 80,000 pounds of annual methyl bromide use. One of these, the Ohlone elementary school, is literally surrounded by strawberry farms, a pastoral but potentially dangerous setting. In addition to methyl bromide, strawberry fields get their share of toxic fungicide and insecticide treatments as well. A recent record of pesticide applications during from March and April to a strawberry field in Castroville reads like a hit list of noxious pesticides. This one field was treated with multiple fungicides, insecticides and herbicides during the two month period: three times with Captan, twice with benomyl (Benlate), twice with iprodione (Rovral), once with metalaxyl (Ridomil), five times with Malathion, once with glyphosate (Roundup), twice with abamectin (agri-mek) and six times with sulfur along with several other compounds. Benomyl, captan and iprodione are all classified by the EPA as carcinogens. Malathion is a potent nervous system toxin. It is hardly surprising that some of the pesticides that go onto strawberries in the fields remain on the fruit when it gets to the supermarket. An Environmental Working Group report, "The Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce", in which we analyzed FDA pesticide residue data, , found that when compared to 41 other fresh fruits and vegetables, strawberries ranked worst for pesticide contamination. This report is available on the World Wide Web at www.ewg.org. The facts speak for themselves and should not be obscured by those condemning the Watsonville teacher for using the classroom to convey "political" beliefs. There is nothing political about the right-to know. And one more thing, it is worth noting that Teresa Thorne, who penned a recent sharply worded letter to the Pajaronian assailing the teacher and public schools generally as havens for misinformation, failed to mention that she is an employee of the California Strawberry Commission. It is not surprising that the strawberry industry was the first to condemn the discussion of pesticides in Watsonville schools. Knowledge is a powerful thing. Sincerely, Kert Davies Environmental Working Group Washington, DC *<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>**<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*< >*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>* Kert Davies ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20009 e-mail: kert@ewg.org EWG web page: http://www.ewg.org 202-667-6982 fax 202-232-2592 Any opinions expressed are mine and not my employer's. *<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>**<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*< >*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*  From woody@cfarm.comWed Jun 12 15:29:33 1996 Date: Tue, 11 Jun 1996 14:12:18 -0700 From: "DERYCKX, WOODY" To: 'sanet-mg' , 'Joel Grossman' <0003216125@mcimail.com> Subject: RE: Mustards as fumigants I personally agree with you about the value of brassicas as alternatives to soil fumigants but would like to remind us all that green manures in general have the value of generally feeding the bottom of the soil - detrital food chain which must promote an increase in soil respiration, competition, antibiosis, and at some point, biodiversity. Most any green manure crop when turned under green and young is, therefore, apt to have a beneficial effect on the disease problem potential situation on following crops. When we select soil fumigant act alike green manures such as the brassicas and sudan grass, we get the double effect of direct initial mortality to most anything in the soil including the disease causitive organisms we are concerned about plus apparently some species of small seeded weeds followed by a great energy rich food source for recolonizing saprophytes and food wed they support. Otherwise they would be of limited ecological value - just home grown cheep fumigants. I still believe that we are missing the boat by talking about "alternatives to Methyl Bromide". The fact is that Methyl Bromide IS the alternative; the alternative to good husbandry and soil health. And thanks for your excellent article in IPM Practitioner, it informed and inspired a lot of people. >---------- >From: Joel Grossman[SMTP:0003216125@mcimail.com] >Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 1996 9:52 AM >To: sanet-mg >Subject: Mustards as fumigants > >I was at the methyl bromide alternatives conference, and if my memory >is >correct, the problem with brassicas like mustard as a soil fumigant is >that >they are phytotoxic to strawberries. > >But for many other crops, mustards make good soil fumigants, >particularly >when combined with solarization. The plastic tarp used in solarization >holds in the toxic gases that arise from the decomposition of the >mustards >[and other cole crop residues, including cabbage], providing quicker >and >better results than without tarping. > >The key with strawberries is some R&D to find out the cause of >toxicity, >and then find a plant variety that can be used as an alternative >fumigant >for the crop. But this line of research is, to the best of my >knowledge, >not being pursued. > >By the way, there is a 10-page article titled "Brassica Alternatives to > >Herbicides and Soil Fumigants," with a page of references on the >subject, >in the July 1993 IPM Practitioner [BIRC, Berkeley, CA, 510/524-2567; >last I >checked they were selling back issues for $5, if you're really >interested >in the subject]. I thought then, and still think now, that the concept >of >grouping fumigant green manure/cover crops is a good one. The major >limitation is that when dealing with home-grown botanical products, >there >will be variations in levels of the toxicants in the plants and >efficacy >due to climate, soil, growing conditions etc. Also, these plant >chemicals >are not always benign -- remember the famous mustard gas of World War I >was >a product of these same brassicas. > >Joel Grossman >disclaimer: I wrote the brassica article for the IPMP referred to >above. > > From 0003216125@mcimail.comWed Jun 12 15:37:20 1996 Date: Thu, 6 Jun 96 19:04 EST From: Joel Grossman <0003216125@mcimail.com> To: sanet-mg Subject: Mustards & Cabbage Dry Residues as Fumigants To: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu, rossk@ext.missouri.edu Subject: Re: mustard as a fumigant This is in response to Karen's question about brassicas as a soil fumigant. Last year I set up an experiment in a commercial pea field here in SW Washington to investigate the pest control potential of several crops planted as overwintering covercrops. I will say right off that my experiment was washed down the river in 3 successive floods this spring. Oh well - the trials and tribulations of on-farm research. But what I did learn was some of the literature on the subject. Excuse the ad nausium message. Just thought others might be interested in the topic. I am always collecting information for future reference and would appreciate hearing from others who are researching or following this topic. This is an experiment which I hope to repeat in the near future. Soil fumigants are expensive and in some cases being phased out. I think we need to seriously investigate alternatives. Managment of the cover crop is critical to the success of pest control. Winter cover crops are fall planted and plowed down in the spring. Fall planting should be timed so that the cover crop puts on enough growth before winter, but not so much growth that flowering occurs before plow down. Not only is excess vegetative growth difficult to plow down, but also, the seed can become a weed. Winter hardy plants are likely to be the most effective for pest control because it is the decomposition of green plant material which gives these plants their pesticidal properties. Correct me if I am wrong, anybody, but I do not think that a dead plant when plowed down will produce the same chemicals as decaying green tissue. I have not seen any tests of this, just my opinion. Planting of the successive crop should not occur within 2 weeks of plow down - otherwise the crop will likely suffer the same fate as the pests. The mode of action of these cover crops does not appear to be very discriminatory. They likely affect beneficial organisms as well as pathological ones. I do not know if any research has measured this, but it is my understanding. To enhance the action of the pesticidal crop, tarping is suggested - this will prevent the active chemicals from being volatilized. Weed control - small seeded weeds are the most likely to be controled due to some penetration factor. I am sure this is related to seed coat and uptake, but I do not have any results to quote. Current research includes: 2 references from SARE/ACE report: 1. 1992. Rapeseed planted as a green manure in potatoes for control of root-knot nematode. Control was up to 80%, yields were boosted 10-50%, and weed biomass was reduced up to 50% - compared to standard pesticide plots, I believe (not clearly stated in abstract). Project coordinator is Jeffrey Stark, U. of Idaho, 208-397-4181. 2. 1992. European fodder radish as alternative to aldicarb (soil fumigant) in sugarbeets for cyst nematode control. Infestation reduced 57%, yields boosted by 5 tons/A (30% greater than aldicarb-treated plots). Radish acts as a trap crop. Project Coordinator is David Koch, U of Wyoming, 307-766-3242. 1994. Weed control with green manures and cover crops - white mustard, rapeseed, annual rye, and sudangrass - in green pea, potato and mint. Kassim Al-Khatib, WSU Mt Vernon Research Station, 360-424-6121. I do not know if any results have been published yet. Some papers: Suppression of root-knot nematode populations with selected rapeseed cultivars as green manure. H. Mojtahedi, et al. 1991. J of Nematology 23(2):170-174. Managing M. chitwoodi (Columbia root-know nematode) on potato with rapeseed as green manure. H. Mojtahedi, et al. 1993. The American Phytopathological Soc. 77(1):42-46. Cover crops for root lesion nematode (P. penetrans) suppression. 1994(?), Oregon Hort Society, Diane Kaufman & Russ Ingham, OSU. > Dear Friends, > > I recently attended one of the research stations field days > on Strawberries. There seemed to be a great dependence on > chemical fumigants to control weeds, and kill every other > living creature. It was mentioned that there is a variety > of mustard being used as a fumigant. I am interested in > finding out what variety it is. > > It was also suggested that there is a fairly good cropping > rotation in use in the New York area to control diseases and > pests. I would also be interested in this information. > > Thanks in advance. > > Karen Ross > Extension Assistant/Water Quality > rossk@ext.missouri.edu > P.